The preliminary effect of whole-body vibration intervention on improving the skeletal muscle mass index, physical fitness, and quality of life among older people with sarcopenia

Abstract

BackgroundStudies have shown that sarcopenia easily leads to difficulty moving, disability, and poor quality of life. However, researches on the use of whole-body vibration for older adults with sarcopenia living in institutions have been lacking. Therefore, the main objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of whole-body vibration intervention on improving the skeletal muscle mass index, physical fitness, and quality of life of older adults with sarcopenia living in institutions.MethodsThis study adopted a quasi-experimental, single-group, pretest-posttest design. The whole-body vibration intervention was performed over a 3-month period, in which the older adults trained 3 times per week; each training lasted 60 s with a break of 30 s for 10 repetitions. The older adults’ skeletal muscle mass index, physical fitness and quality of life before and after the intervention of the whole-body vibration was collected. Concerning the statistical methods adopted, nonparametric method-based tests were employed.ResultsAccording to the results of analysis, after the intervention of the 12-week whole-body vibration, the skeletal muscle mass index (z = − 3.621, p = 0.000), physical fitness on standing on one foot (z = − 2.447, p = 0.014), shoulder–arm flexibility (z = − 3.159, p = 0.002), 8-ft up and go test (z = − 2.692, p = 0.009), hand grip strength (z = − 3.388, p = 0.009), and five repeated sit-to-stand tests (z = − 2.936, p = 0.003), all improved significantly. Furthermore, concerning the quality of life of the older adults in the pretest and posttest, the improvements were statistically significant (z = − 2.533, p = 0.011).ConclusionsThe study results showed the effect of whole-body vibration intervention on improving the skeletal muscle mass index, physical fitness, and quality of life of sarcopenic older people living in institutions and could serve as a crucial reference to health care professionals.

Recent Progress in Space Physiology and Aging

“…However, compared with resistance training, whole-body vibration (WBV) is safer and more convenient while avoiding the risk of injury in older adults. A recent study using 12 Hz – 3 mm WBV (10 repetitions, each lasting 60 s, followed by a 30 s resting period per session, 3 times a week for 3 months) showed significantly positive effects on muscle mass, physical fitness (standing on one foot, flexibility, sit-to-stand, and grip strength) in sarcopenic institutionalized elderly people ( Chang et al, 2018 ).…”

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

“…Millsap and Maydeu-Olivares [19] contended that research designs with nonrandom group assignments or without a control group are considered quasi-experimental. This might limit the inferences of research results.…”

“…In this study, after the participants received a 12-week whole-body vibration training, their one-foot balance, shoulder-arm flexibility, walking speed, grip strength, and performance in five sit-stand repetitions improved significantly. Wei et al [19] provided whole-body vibration training for older people with sarcopenia, who continued it for 12 weeks (three sessions per week); after the training, they found the time taken to perform five sit-stand repetitions and the speed for walking 10 m improved significantly. Researches explored the effect of 6-week whole-body vibration training on the functional fitness of 30 older women [46].…”

Innovative ICU Solutions to Prevent and Reduce Delirium and Post–Intensive Care Unit Syndrome

“…78 It has furthermore been employed in the rehabilitation of patients with sarcopenia, and used for its beneficial effects in diseases, such as stroke or osteogenesis imperfecta. 79,80 An active reflex muscle contraction, namely, tonic vibration reflex, is elicited by whole-body vibration through activation of muscle spindles, rendering it as a suitable method for sedated patients, as no active participation is required. 81,82 Furthermore, there is evidence that whole-body vibration suppresses muscle degrading pathways involved in the development of intensive care unit-acquired weakness.…”