Uma Kanth, MS
Medical Student
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Roslyn, New York, United States
James W. Atchison, DO
Professor and Chair, Dept of PM&R
Mayo Clinic Florida
Jacksonville, Florida, United States
This paper had multiple aims: (1) to review the current body of literature on WBVT, aiming to identify the most effective techniques and parameters, (2) to develop a better understanding of the prevalence to which bone, muscle, functional, and cardiovascular treatment parameters were studied (3) to evaluate the safety of WBVT and (4) to determine treatment paradigms for WBVT met American College of Sports Medicine’s (ACSM) exercise guidelines.
Design:
This narrative review included 33 peer-reviewed studies. Search terms included whole body vibration, vibration therapy, and osteoporosis. Sensitivity analyses were conducted for frequency, amplitude, and magnitude data, using the smallest value provided and then the largest value provided. Percentages were taken of the number of studies that reported WBVT improved the outcome measure of interest for the study out of the total number of studies. The total amount of WBVT in a week in a study was compared to the 150 minute threshold for aerobic activity and it was determined whether WBVT occurred twice a week or more for resistance exercise.
Results:
When evaluating percent success in improving patient outcome measures, 75% of the studies investigating
Muscle Outcome Measures, 61.54% of the studies investigating Bone Outcome Measures, and 61.11% of the studies investigating
Functional Outcome Measures indicated WBVT was successful. Adverse events in response to WBVT were present in 6 studies out of 33. All but one study met ACSM guidelines of strength training. Two study protocols met the ACSM’s Guidelines for physical activity and both studies were effective in improving patient outcome measures.
Conclusions:
Trials included in this study evaluated muscle, bone, and functional outcome measures. Adverse events were present in only 6 studies out of 33. Only two study protocols fulfilled the ACSM’s Guidelines for aerobic activity and all but one study met the ACSM guideline of resistance exercise.
