Sample size calculation
The primary outcome measure was bone density, as measured by HU. Using information from a prior study, a sample was calculated (STATA V16.0) with a study power of 80% at an alpha of 0.05 and effect size of 1.044 were used. The mean bone density of the intervention group was 360.82 HU and that of the control group was 384.03 HU. This revealed that a total of 32 patients would need to be taken into account. However, this study included a total of 36 patients (18 in each group) to compensate for any potential dropouts [