The immediate effects of whole body vibration on cervical joint position sense in subjects with forward head posture

Abstract

Forward head posture (FHP) is considered to be one of the most common postural disorders in the spinal column. Recently studies have reported impaired proprioception to be one of the results of prolonged FHP. Studies have suggested that vibration stimulus is capable of improving joint proprioception. Thus the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of one session of whole body vibration (WBV) training in standing position on cervical joint position sense in individuals with FHP. Thirty (12 females and 18 males) individuals with FHP were randomly assigned to a vibration (experimental) or non-vibration (control) group. The vibration group experienced 5 sets of WBV while holding the head and neck in retraction. The non-vibration group held the same position for the same time without any vibration. Four target angles were established to assess the absolute and constant joint position sense (JPS) errors for each individual. Results showed significant reduction (P<0/05) in JPS absolute errors in 2 target angles in the vibration group when compared to the non-vibration group. It was concluded that relative improvement in cervical JPS could be achieved when adding additional sensory input from WBV stimulus to the head and neck retraction exercise.

Effects of Whole-Body Vibration Therapy in Weight-Bearing and Non-Weight Bearing Positions for Upper and Lower Extremities on Balance and Cervical Joint Position Sense in Children With Cerebral Palsy

“…Similarly, in our study, the balance and joint position sensing of cervical flexion, extension, left and right rotation, and left and right lateral flexion improved significantly after the treatment of WBVT for four weeks in both weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing positions for the upper and lower extremities in children of CP. Another study demonstrated that including WBVT with head and neck retraction exercise improved cervical joint position sense [ 20 ].…”

A Comparison of the Effects of Stochastic Resonance Therapy, Whole-Body Vibration, and Balance Training on Pain Perception and Sensorimotor Function in Patients With Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Another intervention that reduces pain and improves CJPS in patients with neck pain is locally applied vibration [ 15 , 16 ]. Vibration can be applied locally on specific muscles or tendons or as whole-body vibration (WBV) [ 17 ]. Both types of vibration stimulate proprioceptors; for example, muscle spindles [ 18 , 19 ].…”

“…The mechanism by which vibration activates muscles is described as the “tonic vibration reflex” [ 19 , 22 ]. It is believed that the vibration stimuli excite the muscle spindles, which, in turn send signals to the spinal cord where the polysynaptic reflex system is activated, consequently causing muscle contractions [ 17 , 22 , 23 ].…”

“…Thus, WBV may be a potential treatment candidate that can reduce pain and improve sensorimotor functions in patients with neck pain. In other studies that did not include patients with neck pain, potential therapeutic benefits of WBV have been reported to include positive effects in patients with cerebral palsy [ 25 ], potential improvement of CJPS in people with forward head posture [ 17 ], and reduction of pain in patients with chronic low back pain [ 25 , 26 ].…”

Effects of Different Vibration Therapy Protocols on Neuromuscular Performance

“…Recent research suggests that mechanical vibrations of low amplitudes and frequencies provide a safe and effective way to improve the neuromuscular system (1) and cause neuromuscular adaptations over a short time period without much effort (2). In the literature, vibrational intervention is also called biomechanical stimulation, biomechanical oscillation, vibration training, whole-body vibration, vibration therapy and focal vibration therapy (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8). Initially, during a vibration intervention, a vibration device (actuator) was placed directly on the body part.…”