Whole body vibration exercise for chronic low back pain: study protocol for a single-blind randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundLow back pain affects approximately 80% of people at some stage in their lives. Exercise therapy is the most widely used nonsurgical intervention for low back pain in practice guidelines. Whole body vibration exercise is becoming increasingly popular for relieving musculoskeletal pain and improving health-related quality of life. However, the efficacy of whole body vibration exercise for low back pain is not without dispute. This study aims to estimate the effect of whole body vibration exercise for chronic low back pain.Methods/DesignWe will conduct a prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled trial of 120 patients with chronic low back pain. Patients will be randomly assigned into an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group will participate in whole body vibration exercise twice a week for 3 months. The control group will receive general exercise twice a week for 3 months. Primary outcome measures will be the visual analog scale for pain, the Oswestry Disability Index and adverse events. The secondary outcome measures will include muscle strength and endurance of spine, trunk proprioception, transversus abdominis activation capacity, and quality of life. We will conduct intention-to-treat analysis if any participants withdraw from the trial.DiscussionImportant features of this study include the randomization procedures, single-blind, large sample size, and a standardized protocol for whole body vibration in chronic low back pain. This study aims to determine whether whole body vibration exercise produces more beneficial effects than general exercise for chronic low back pain. Therefore, our results will be useful for patients with chronic low back pain as well as for medical staff and health-care decision makers.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR-TRC-13003708.

Vibrationen und Kieferorthopädie

“…1895 empfahl Dr. John Harvey Kellogg Vibrationen, um die Blutzirkulation zu verbessern oder Obstipation zu behandeln. In den folgenden Jahren wurde die Ganzkörper-Vibrationstherapie bei verschiedenen Krankheiten, wie Lähmungen [1,2], M. Parkinson [3], Diabetes [4], Fettsucht [5], Schlaganfällen [6], Rückenschmerzen [7] und Osteoporose [8] angewendet. Seit mehr als 100 Jahren wird es allgemein akzeptiert, dass periphere Einflüsse einen direkten Einfluss auf die Knochendichte aufgrund eines belastungsinduzierten Knochenumbaus haben [9].…”

The Effectiveness of Trunk Stabilization Exercise Combined with Vibration for Adolescent Patients with Nonspecific Low Back Pain

“…Recently, vibration has been used as a complementary therapy to relieve pain and improve functions in LBP patients [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Vibration exercise involves standing still or performing dynamic exercises on a vibratory platform [ 18 , 19 ].…”

Whole-body vibration exercise for low back pain

“…[ 11 , 12 ] Vibratory stimulation plus exercise intervention may complement standard physical rehabilitation programs for LBP. [ 13 ]…”

“…The WBV exercise is currently being promoted as a treatment for patients with LBP. [ 13 – 21 ] A theoretical basis explains the effect of WBV exercise on the treatment of LBP. First, positive correlations exist between core muscle inactivity and pain intensity and the function of patients with LBP.…”