Whole Body Vibration Improves Spatial Memory, Anxiety-Like Behavior, and Motor Performance in Aged Male and Female Rats

Abstract

Aging is a progressive process leading to functional decline in many domains. Recent studies have shown that physical exercise (PE) has a positive influence on the progression of age-related functional decline, including motor and brain functions. Whole body vibration (WBV) is a form of passive stimulation by mechanical vibration platforms, which offers an alternative for PE interventions, especially for aged individuals. WBV has been demonstrated to mimic the beneficial effects of PE on the musculoskeletal system, as well on the central nervous system. However, preclinical data with aged rodents are very limited. Hence, the purpose of this experiment was to investigate the effects of a 5-week WBV intervention with an aged animal model on memory functions, anxiety-related behavior, and motor performance. The 18-month old male (N = 14) and female (N = 14) Wistar rats were divided into two groups, namely, vibration and pseudo-vibration. Animals underwent a 5-week WBV intervention protocol with low intensity (frequency of 30 Hz and amplitude of 50–200 μm) stimulation. After 5 weeks, the following cognitive and motor tests were administered: open-field, novel and spatial object recognition, grip-hanging, and balance-beam. WBV-treated rats showed a decrease in their anxiety level in the open field test compared with those in the pseudo-treated controls. In addition, WBV-treated male animals showed significantly increased rearing in the open-field test compared to their pseudo controls. Spatial memory was significantly improved by WBV treatment, whereas WBV had no effect on object memory. Regarding motor performance, both grip strength and motor coordination were improved by WBV treatment. Our results indicate that WBV seems to have comparable beneficial effects on age-related emotional, cognitive, and motor decline as what has been reported for active PE. No striking differences were found between the sexes. As such, these findings further support the idea that WBV could be considered as a useful alternative for PE in case active PE cannot be performed due to physical or mental issues.

Chronic whole body vibration ameliorates hippocampal neuroinflammation, anxiety-like behavior, memory functions and motor performance in aged male rats dose dependently

“…In general, these findings are comparable with our previous study that reported that 10 min daily sessions of WBV in rats at the age of 18–20 months is able to alleviate anxiety-like behavior and improve motor activity in the open field test 64 . Interestingly, another study 47 showed that vibration with the frequency of 30 Hz, amplitude 4.5 mm and duration of 30 min per day has been demonstrated to alleviate anxiety-like behavior induced by restrain stress model.…”

“…Regarding the NLR test, the 20 min sessions of WBV group showed increased capability to distinguish the position of the relocated object in contrast to the 5 min sessions of WBV and pseudo treated animals, while the novel object discrimination index was not affected by vibration treatment. In addition, in previous study of our research group, the 10 min daily sessions of WBV was also able to improve this type of memory in aged rats 64 . Another study with young-adult mice with a similar methodical approach showed that vibration improved the performance in NOR test whereas the NLR test was not influenced 48 .…”

“…To the best of our knowledge, the beneficial effects of WBV on direct assessment of muscle strength with the grip hanging test has been reported only in middle-aged mice (15 months) 74 . We have conducted a study with the same methodical approach 64 , but with 10 min daily sessions of WBV and found increased muscle strength in the grip hanging test in 18 months old male and female rats. The decline of motor performance in aging rodents is well known.…”

Whole body vibration, an alternative for exercise to improve recovery from surgery?

“…Balance beam test was conducted twice on postoperative day 11 and 12 to analyze the motor coordination ( Oroszi et al, 2022b ). A 150 cm long and 2 cm wide wooden slat was positioned horizontally at 1 m above the floor, and on one end connected to the home cage of the rat, as target.…”

Whole Body Vibration Improves Brain and Musculoskeletal Health by Modulating the Expression of Tissue-Specific Markers: FNDC5 as a Key Regulator of Vibration Adaptations

“…Our previous studies have shown that vibratory training is an effective strategy to improve brain health and cognitive functions, as well as to counteract muscle atrophy and motor decline related to aging and/or a sedentary lifestyle [9,16]. In agreement, numerous studies over the last decades report among the main benefits of mechanical vibrations those affecting the musculoskeletal system, such as increased bone mass and muscle strength, as well as increased hormonal responses and improved cognitive abilities, anxious and depressive behavior, and neuromuscular adaptation [36,37]. However, cellular and molecular mechanisms through which vibratory training exerts its effects, influencing overall health, are largely unknown.…”