Long-Term Effects of Whole-Body Vibration on Human Gait: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Whole-body vibration is commonly used in physical medicine and neuro-rehabilitation as a clinical prevention and rehabilitation tool. The goal of this systematic review is to assess the long-term effects of whole-body vibration training on gait in different populations of patients. Methods: We conducted a literature search in PubMed, Science Direct, Springer, Sage and in study references for articles published prior to 7 December 2018. We used the keywords “vibration,” “gait” and “walk” in combination with their Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology was used. Only randomized controlled trials (RCT) published in English peer-reviewed journals were included. All patient categories were selected. The duration of Whole-Body Vibration (WBV) training had to be at least 4 weeks. The outcomes accepted could be clinical or biomechanical analysis. The selection procedure was conducted by two rehabilitation experts and disagreements were resolved by a third expert. Descriptive data regarding subjects, interventions, types of vibration, training parameters and main results on gait variables were collected and summarized in a descriptive table. The quality of selected studies was assessed using the PEDro scale. Statistical analysis was conducted to evaluate intergroup differences and changes after the WBV intervention compared to the pre-intervention status. The level of evidence was determined based on the results of meta-analysis (effect size), statistical heterogeneity ( I 2 ) and methodological quality (PEDro scale). Results: A total of 859 studies were initially identified through databases with 46 articles meeting all of the inclusion criteria and thus selected for qualitative assessment. Twenty-five studies were included in meta-analysis for quantitative synthesis. In elderly subjects, small but significant improvements in the TUG test (SMD = −0.18; 95% CI: −0.32, −0.04) and the 10MWT (SMD = −0.28; 95% CI: −0.56, −0.01) were found in the WBV groups with a strong level of evidence ( I 2 = 7%, p = 0.38 and I 2 = 22%, p = 0.28, respectively; PEDro scores ≥5/10). However, WBV failed to improve the 6MWT (SMD = 0.37; 95% CI: −0.03, 0.78) and the Tinetti gait scores (SMD = 0.04; 95% CI: −0.23, 0.31) in older adults. In stroke patients, significant improvement in the 6MWT (SMD = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.59) was found after WBV interventions, with a strong level of evidence ( I 2 = 0%, p = 0.58; PEDro score ≥5/10). On the other hand, there was no significant change in the TUG test despite a tendency toward improvement (SMD = −0.29; 95% CI: −0.60, 0.01). Results were inconsistent in COPD patients ( I 2 = 66%, ...

Acute Effects of Whole-Body Vibration on the Postural Organization of Gait Initiation in Young Adults and Elderly: A Randomized Sham Intervention Study

“…In contrast to young adults, no significant effects of acute WBV application for any of the biomechanical variables recorded was observed in the elderly. This finding may a priori contrast with current literature that instead tends to show a beneficial effect of WBV application on postural control in static position and on various clinical locomotor tests [for review (98)]. Now, it is noteworthy that these latter studies used long-term WBV treatments and not single bout as in the present study.…”

Effects of Local Vibration With Different Intermittent Durations on Skin Blood Flow Responses in Diabetic People

“…As a non-invasive and safe intervention method, vibration has been applied in the fields of therapy and rehabilitation, and many positive effects were found in improving muscle performance, walking balance and endurance, bone density and so on (Merriman and Jackson, 2009; Rittweger, 2010; Kantele et al, 2015; Fischer et al, 2019). In this study, results showed that the vibration can increase plantar SBF in both diabetic and healthy subjects, indicating that it offers a safe method for improving SBF with few side effects.…”

The Endothelium as a Therapeutic Target in Diabetes: A Narrative Review and Perspective

“…WBV has evolved primarily as sports training adjunct in sports medicine, as a method to improve muscle power. The effects of WBV have been summarized in systematic reviews in terms of outcomes for specific populations such as; improvements in bone mineral density in post-menopausal women ( Robinson et al, 2016 ), leg muscle strength and balance improvement in elderly, balance and gait in patients with Parkinson’s disease multiple sclerosis, stroke, improved balance and gait speed in the elderly, and walking performance following stroke ( Fischer et al, 2019 ) improved functional exercise capacity and quality of life in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, improved muscle strength bone mineralization and balance in children with Down’s syndrome ( Saquetto et al, 2018 ). WBV increases skin blood flow ( Johnson et al, 2014 ; Robbins et al, 2014 ; Games et al, 2015 ), and improves endothelial function in an elderly population ( Aoyama et al, 2019 ).…”