Effect of Whole-Body Vibration Training on the Physical Capability, Activities of Daily Living, and Sleep Quality of Older People with Sarcopenia

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the effect of whole-body vibration on older people with sarcopenia, and their physical capability, activities of daily living, and sleep quality. Methods: This study is quasi-experimental and adopts single-group pretest–posttest design. The study included participants aged older than 65 years who lived in nursing homes and care centers in Taipei, Taiwan. The whole-body vibration training was performed for 3 months, and during each training session, a participant received ten cycles of 60-sec vibration with 30-sec breaks between the cycles. The physical capability, activities of daily living, and sleep quality of the participants were examined to understand the pretest and posttest results of whole-body vibration training. Concerning the statistical methods adopted, nonparametric method-based tests were employed. Results: In addition to sleep quality (z = 7.367, p > 0.05), significant differences were observed between before and after whole-body vibration training intervention for one-foot balance (z = −2.447, p < 0.05), shoulder and arm flexibility (z = −3.159, p < 0.05), walking speed (z = −2.692, p < 0.05), right-hand grip (z = −3.388, p < 0.05), left-hand grip (z = −3.264, p < 0.05), five sit–stand repetitions (z = −2.936, p < 0.05), skeletal muscle mass index (z = −3.621, p < 0.05), and activities of daily living (z = 1.163, p < 0.05). Conclusions: According to this study, with the 12-week whole-body vibration training in older people with sarcopenia, their physical capability and activities of daily living have improved, though sleeping quality is not statistically significant.

Exercise Interventions for the Management of Sarcopenia: Possibilities and Challenges

“…WBVT involves the participant standing or sitting on a vibrating platform whilst partaking in isometric strength and balance exercises [77]. WBVT has been infrequently trialled in patients diagnosed with sarcopenia [78][79][80]. The most recent study demonstrated improvements in physical capability following twelve weeks of WBVT.…”

“…The most recent study demonstrated improvements in physical capability following twelve weeks of WBVT. Improvements in onefoot balance, shoulder and arm flexibility, gait speed, hand grip strength, five sit-to-stand repetitions and an increase in muscle mass index were recorded in the participants [80].…”

Differences in Health-Related Quality of Life in Older People with and without Sarcopenia Covered by Long-Term Care Insurance

“…The prevalence of sarcopenia is as high as 5–19% [ 10 , 12 , 13 ] in older people without LTCI and 48% in older people with LTCI [ 14 ]. Having sarcopenia has also been shown to be associated with fall and fracture events, decreased activities of daily living (ADL), increased mortality, and increased costs for medical and long-term care insurance [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Moreover, older people with LTCI who have sarcopenia are reported to have low physical activity and are presumed to be at very high risk [ 18 ].…”