Abstract
AIM: This study investigated the association between nighttime noise control and melatonin secretion alongside bone repair-related factors in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted at LiuZhou Municipal Liutie Central Hospital between January 2022 and December 2023. Patients with acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures were divided into the following two groups: standard care group (n = 65) and noise control group (n = 72). The noise control group received enhanced acoustic management in specially designed quiet zones, whereas the standard care group was treated in regular hospital wards. Melatonin levels, osteoprotegerin (OPG), cortisol concentrations, receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL), RANKL/OPG ratio, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain intensity and Single-Item Sleep Quality Scale (SQS) for sleep quality were measured at baseline and Day 7 of hospitalisation. RESULTS: The noise control group demonstrated significantly elevated melatonin levels compared with the standard care group (P < 0.001). SQS scores were significantly higher in the noise control group than in the standard care group (P < 0.001). Cortisol concentrations were significantly reduced in the noise control group (P < 0.001). Bone metabolism regulation markers showed favourable changes in the noise control group, with significantly decreased RANKL/OPG ratio (P < 0.001), elevated OPG levels (P = 0.005) and reduced soluble RANKL concentrations (P < 0.001). VAS scores demonstrated a significant reduction in the noise control group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Acoustic environmental modifications were associated with altered melatonin secretion patterns and changes in bone metabolism markers. These findings suggest potential associations between noise control measures and physiological parameters in orthopaedic patient populations.