Whole Body Vibration Improves Attention and Motor Performance in Mice Depending on the Duration of the Whole-Body Vibration Session

Abstract

Background: Whole body vibration (WBV) is a form of physical stimulation via mechanical vibrations transmitted to a subject. It is assumed that WBV induces sensory stimulation in cortical brain regions through the activation of skin and muscle receptors responding to the vibration. The effects of WBV on muscle strength are well described. However, little is known about the impact of WBV on the brain. Recently, it was shown in humans that WBV improves attention in an acute WBV protocol. Preclinical research is needed to unravel the underlying brain mechanism. As a first step, we examined whether chronic WBV improves attention in mice. Material and Methods: A custom made vibrating platform for mice with low intensity vibrations was used. Male CD1 mice (3 months of age) received five weeks WBV (30 Hz; 1.9 G), five days a week with sessions of five (n=12) or 30 (n=10) minutes. Control mice (pseudo-WBV; n=12 and 10 for the five and 30 minute sessions, respectively) were treated in a similar way, but did not receive the actual vibration. Object recognition tasks were used as an attention test (novel and spatial object recognition -the primary outcome measure). A Balance beam was used for motor performance, serving as a secondary outcome measure. Results: WBV sessions of five (but not WBV sessions of 30 minutes) improved balance beam performance (mice gained 28% in time needed to cross the beam) and novel object recognition (mice paid significantly more attention to the novel object) as compared to pseudo WBV, but no change was found for spatial object performance (mice did not notice the relocation). Although 30 minutes WBV sessions were not beneficial, it did not impair either attention or motor performance. Conclusion: These results show that brief sessions of WBV improve, next to motor performance, attention for object recognition, but not spatial cues of the objects. The selective improvement of attention in mice opens the avenue to unravel the underlying brain mechanisms.

Beneficial Effects of Whole Body Vibration on Brain Functions in Mice and Humans

“…The balance beam is a sensorimotor integration test, which focuses on hind limb functioning. 30 In our lab, this test has been proven to be sensitive to the effects of disease phenotype, 31 exercise 32 and also WBV stimulation, 11 in different mouse strains. This test was, therefore, included as a control for the effectiveness of the WBV protocol in this experiment.…”

“…The WBV protocol for mice was adapted from our previous studies in CD1 and C57Bl/6J mice 11,29 and was described in more detail by Keijser and colleagues. 11 The WBV setup (see Figure 1A) consisted of an oscillator (LEVELL R.C. Oscillator Type TG200DMP) and power amplifier (V406 Shaker Power Amplifier).…”

“…A box (44.5 (L) × 28 (W) × 16 (H) cm) was attached to the oscillator which contained 12 removable compartments for individual mice (6.5 (L) × = 7.5 (W) × 20 (H) cm). During the stimulation procedure, mice in the WBV group were placed in the compartments and subjected to low intensity sinusoidal vibrations with a frequency of 30 Hz, as described previously by Keijser and co-workers 11 for 10 minutes (amplitude 0.0537 mm; g-force (peak) 0.098 g). Mice in the pseudo stimulated pWBV group served as controls and were placed in the compartments at the same schedule and for the same amount of time, but the oscillator was not turned on.…”

Effects of Coriandrum sativum L. in Association with Physical Exercise in Alloxan-Induced Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Rats

“…These considerations indicate that WBV exercise may have clinical potential in the management of T1DM [18]. This potential has stimulated investigations into WBV exercise using pre-clinical models including rodents [20][21][22].…”

“…In experimental investigations, the course of a plant extract therapy or even WBV intervention can be guided through the altered distribution of a radiopharmaceutical [22,23]. The radiopharmaceutical sodium pertechnetate (Na99mTcO4) is widely used in experimental investigations [24].…”