Acute Whole-Body Vibration Exercise Promotes Favorable Handgrip Neuromuscular Modifications in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Cross-Over Randomized Clinical

Abstract

Objective. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes progressive changes in the musculoskeletal system compromising neuromuscular control especially in the hands. Whole-body vibration (WBV) could be an alternative for the rehabilitation in this population. This study investigated the immediate effect of WBV while in the modified push-up position on neural ratio (NR) in a single session during handgrip strength (HS) in women with stable RA. Methods. Twenty-one women with RA (diagnosis of disease: ±8 years, erythrocyte sedimentation rate: ±24.8, age: 54± 11 years, BMI: 28 ± 4 kg ·m-2) received three experimental interventions for five minutes in a randomized and balanced cross-over order: (1) control—seated with hands at rest, (2) sham—push-up position with hands on the vibration platform that remained disconnected, and (3) vibration—push-up position with hands on the vibration platform turned on (45 Hz, 2 mm, 159.73 m·s-2). At the baseline and immediately after the three experimental interventions, the HS, the electromyographic records (EMGrms), and range of motion (ROM) of the dominant hand were measured. The NR, i.e., the ratio between EMGrms of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) muscle and HS, was also determined. The lower NR represented the greater neuromuscular efficiency (NE). Results. The NR was similar at baseline in the three experimental interventions. Despite the nonsignificance of within-interventions ( p = 0.0611 ) and interaction effect ( p = 0.1907 ), WBV exercise reduced the NR compared with the sham and control ( p = 0.0003 , F = 8.86 , η 2 = 0.85 , power = 1.00 ). Conclusion. Acute WBV exercise under the hands promotes neuromuscular modifications during the handgrip of women with stable RA. Thus, acute WBV exercise may be used as a preparatory exercise for the rehabilitation of the hands in this population. This trial is registered with trial registration 2.544.850 (ReBEC-RBR-2n932c).

Determining factors of functioning in hemodialysis patients using the international classification of functioning, disability and health

“…CA), adjusted to the second position [17]. Volunteers remained in a seated position, with the shoulder in adduction and 90° at the elbow joint, with the forearm in a neutral position [18][19][20]. Three measures of HS of the arm without arteriovenous fistula were performed and the average of these measures was used for analysis.…”

The Effects of Exercise Training on Functional Capacity and Quality of Life in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review

“…The authors found that a single bout of exercise may effectively decrease serum BDNF levels in patients with RA without, however, a possible explanation for this finding. Finally, Coelho-Oliveira AC et al [ 48 ] investigated the effect of acute whole-body vibration exercise under the hands, on handgrip strength, range of motion, and electromyography signals of women with RA, and demonstrated that it promotes neuromuscular modifications during the handgrip of women with stable RA. On the contrary, a recent systematic literature review that investigated the acute effects of exercise on pain symptoms, clinical inflammatory markers, and inflammatory cytokines in RA concluded that post-exercise responses for pain, clinical inflammatory markers and inflammatory cytokines were not different between people with or without RA [ 49 ].…”

The Feasibility of Whole-Body Vibration Training as an Approach to Improve Health in Autistic Adults

“…The WBV device is particularly helpful in individuals who are immobilized due to chronic health issues or have prolonged injuries, as typically seen in special needs, aging [22], overweight, and obese populations, as it is considered to be passive training, involving minimal risk of injury [23]. Prior research using WBV interventions have shown improvements in cardiovascular health [17,24], arthritis [25], flexibility [26], muscle soreness/stiffness [26], muscle strength/power [27], motor function and balance [28], and bone density [29] within mixed populations. However, to date, there is no published literature on the feasibility of WBV exercise training on autistic individuals or cardiovascular disease risk factors in sedentary and/or overweight individuals with ASD.…”