Stochastic resonance whole-body vibration, musculoskeletal symptoms, and body balance: a worksite training study

Beyond physiology: Acute effects of side-alternating whole-body vibration on well-being, flexibility, balance, and cognition using a light and portable platform A randomized controlled trial

A good body-balance helps to prevent slips, trips and falls. New body-balance interventions must be explored, because effective methods to implement daily training are sparse. The purpose of the current study was to investigate acute effects of side-alternating whole-body vibration (SS-WBV) training on musculoskeletal well-being, flexibility, body balance, and cognition. In this randomized controlled trial, participants were randomly allocated into a verum (8.5 Hz, SS-WBV, N = 28) or sham (6 Hz, SS-WBV, N = 27) condition. The training consisted of three SS-WBV series that lasted one-minute each with two one-minute breaks in between. During the SS-WBV series, participants stood in the middle of the platform with slightly bent knees. During the breaks in between, participants could loosen up. Flexibility (modified fingertip-to-floor method), balance (modified Star Excursion Balance Test), and cognitive interference (Stroop Color Word Test) were tested before and after the exercise. Also, musculoskeletal well-being, muscle relaxation, sense of flexibility, sense of balance, and surefootedness were assessed in a questionnaire before and after the exercise. Musculoskeletal well-being was significantly increased only after verum. Also, muscle relaxation was significantly higher only after verum. The Flexibility-Test showed significant improvement after both conditions. Accordingly, sense of flexibility was significantly increased after both conditions. The Balance-Test showed significant improvement after verum, and after sham. Accordingly, increased sense of balance was significant after both conditions. However, surefootedness was significantly higher only after verum. The Stroop-Test showed significant improvement only after verum. The current study shows that one SS-WBV training session increases musculoskeletal well-being, flexibility, body balance and cognition. The abundance of improvements on a light and portable platform has great influence on the practicability of training in daily life, aiming to prevent slip trips and falls at work.

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 Non-Specific Neck Pain: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

Neck pain is a prevalent pathological condition, and together with low back pain, it presents as the leading cause of years lived with disability worldwide in 2015 and continues to contribute substantially to the global burden of disease.

Objective

This study will investigate and compare the effects of stochastic resonance therapy (SRT), whole-body vibration (WBV), and balance training (BLT) in the management of chronic nonspecific neck pain.

Methods

In total, 45 participants with chronic neck pain will be randomly allocated into SRT, WBV, and BLT groups. Pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, neck disability, and cervical joint position sense will be measured before, immediately after, and 15 minutes after the first intervention session and after 4 weeks of intervention. A follow-up postintervention measurement would be taken after 4 weeks. The SRT group will train on an SRT device (SRT Zeptor Medical plus noise, Zeptoring). The WBV group will train on a Galileo vibration device (Novotec Medical), while the BLT group will perform balance exercises. All participants shall train 3 times a week for a period of 4 weeks. Mixed ANOVA will be used to determine the main and effects of interactions within (before intervention, post intervention 1, post intervention 2, post intervention 3, and follow-up) and between (SRT, WBV, and BLT) factors on the study outcome variables.

Results

Recruitment of participants started in May 2021, and as of May 2022, a total of 20 patients have been enrolled in the study. All participants are expected to have completed the trial by the end of 2022, and data analysis will commence thereafter.

Conclusions

The outcome of this study will shed closer light on the effects of SRT, WBV, and BLT on pain and function in patients with chronic neck pain.

Trial Registration

German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00023881; https://tinyurl.com/ycxuhj37

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/34430

An overview of the effects of whole-body vibration on individuals with cerebral palsy

The purpose of this review is to examine how whole-body vibration can be used as a tool in therapy to help improve common physical weaknesses in balance, bone density, gait, spasticity, and strength experienced by individuals with cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is the most common movement disorder in children, and whole-body vibration is quickly becoming a potential therapeutic tool with some advantages compared to traditional therapies for individuals with movement disorders. The advantages of whole-body vibration include less strain and risk of injury, more passive training activity, and reduced time to complete an effective therapeutic session, all of which are appealing for populations with physiological impairments that cause physical weakness, including individuals with cerebral palsy. This review involves a brief overview of cerebral palsy, whole-body vibration's influence on physical performance measures, its influence on physical performance in individuals with cerebral palsy, and then discusses the future directions of whole-body vibration therapy in the cerebral palsy population.

Characterizing the magnitude of vibration imposed by stochastic whole-body vibration platforms used in rehabilitation and training: a preliminary study

Abstract The use of devices that produce stochastic whole-body vibration as a resource for rehabilitation and training programs has been founded on the theory of stochastic resonance. However, the prescription of rehabilitation and training programs must be preceded by the verification of imposed-vibration magnitude and of how it can be affected by the presence of an individual on the devices. The aim of this research was to characterize and analyze the effect of an individual's mass on the vibratory stimulus provided by stochastic whole-body vibration (SWBV) devices. The sample consisted of 30 repetitions for each one of the 6 vibration levels of the SWBV device (level 02, 04, 06, 08, 10 and 12), performed in two experimental situations (Without Load; Load [70Kg]; ≈ 35 kg on the right and left surfaces of the platform). For the antero-posterior, latero-lateral, and vertical directions, all variables showed significant differences between treatments, levels and interaction between experimental factors (p<.05), except for the Disp variable between treatments (p=.075). To measure vibration magnitude, a triaxial accelerometer was attached at the center of the board of one of the platform surfaces. Load interferes with parameters of vibration imposed by SWBV platforms, increasing ARMS and APEAK in the latero-lateral and antero-posterior directions, reducing these same parameters in the vertical direction.

Interruptions, Unreasonable Tasks, and Quality-Threatening Time Pressure in Home Care: Linked to Attention Deficits and Slips, Trips, and Falls

BACKGROUND

In industrial countries, home care of community dwelling elderly people is rapidly growing. Frequent injuries in home caregivers result from slips, trips, and falls (STFs). The current study tests attentional cognitive failure to mediate the association between work stressors and STFs.

METHODS

A sample of 125 home caregivers participated in a questionnaire study and reported work interruptions, unreasonable tasks, quality-threatening time pressure, conscientiousness, attentional cognitive failures, and STFs.

RESULTS

In structural equation modeling, the mediation model was shown to fit empirical data. Indirect paths with attentional cognitive failures as the link between work stressors and STF were all significant in bootstrapping tests. An alternative accident-prone person model, that suggests individual differences in conscientiousness to predict attentional cognitive failures that predict more frequent work stressors and STFs, showed no significant paths between work conditions and STFs.

CONCLUSION

To prevent occupational injury, work should be redesigned to reduce work interruptions, unreasonable tasks, and quality-threatening time pressure in home care.

Stochastic Resonance Training Improves Balance and Musculoskeletal Well-Being in Office Workers: A Controlled Preventive Intervention Study

Sixty-two office workers in a Swiss federal department were randomly assigned to a training and a control group. While the training group was instructed to complete 3 stochastic resonance whole-body vibration (SR-WBV) exercises every week for 4 weeks, the control group received no treatment. During this time all participants answered a daily questionnaire concerning their surefootedness, sense of balance, musculoskeletal well-being, and muscle relaxation. Before and after the 4-week SR-WBV intervention, balance was tested with a single-leg stance on a foam mat of the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) using a SwayStar™-System measuring Total Angle Area (TotAngArea) and Total Velocity Area (TotVelArea). Multilevel results highlighted a significant increase over time for surefootedness and sense of balance (t = 2.491, p = .016), as well as for musculoskeletal well-being and muscle relaxation (t = 2.538, p = .014) in the training group but not in the control group. Balance tests showed improvement of balance in the training group (TotAngArea: Z = 2.550, p = .011; TotVelArea: Z = 3.334, p = .001) but not in the control group. SR-WBV exercise indicated a high compliance during this study (3.87±0.45 trainings per week) underlining its benefits for the working context. Especially office workers who spend most of their time in sitting position could profit from SR-WBV exercise to improve balance and reduce the risk of falls.

Acute effects of partial-body vibration in sitting position

AIM

To investigate the acute effects of sinusoidal and stochastic resonance partial-body vibration in sitting position, including muscle activity, heart rate variability, balance and flexibility.

METHODS

Fifty healthy participants were assigned randomly to two training conditions: A sinusoidal partial-body vibration (SIN, 8 Hz) or a stochastic resonance partial-body vibration (STOCH, 8 ± 2 Hz). For baseline assessment participants sat on the vibration platform without vibration. Both training conditions consisted of five series of a one-minute vibration training and a one-minute break between them. In this experimental study surface electromyography (EMG) of the erector spinae (ES), one of the back muscles, and heart rate variability (HRV) was measured at baseline and during training. Balance and flexibility were assessed at baseline and immediately after training. Balance was measured with the modified star excursion balance test (mSEBT) and flexibility was assessed through the modified fingertip-to-floor method (mFTF).

RESULTS

Paired sample t-test showed a significant increase in balance that was restricted to STOCH (t = -2.22, P = 0.018; SIN: t = -0.09, P = 0.466). An increase in flexibility was also restricted to STOCH (t = 2.65, P = 0.007; SIN: t = 1.41, P = 0.086). There was no significant change of muscle activity in the ES-EMG in STOCH or SIN conditions. In both training conditions, HRV decreased significantly, but remained in a low-load range (STOCH: t = 2.89, P = 0.004; SIN: t = 2.55, P = 0.009).

CONCLUSION

In sitting position, stochastic resonance partial-body vibration can improve balance and flexibility while cardiovascular load is low. STOCH can be a valuable training option to people who are unable to stand (e.g., people, who are temporarily wheelchair-bound).

Effects of physical exercise at the workplace for treatment of low back pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Background

The prevalence of low back pain is high among the economically active population. Low back pain reduces productivity and causes absenteeism, impaired quality of life and leaves of absence. Several measures were suggested to reduce the occurrence of this occupational condition, among which physical exercise at the workplace stands out.

Aim

To analyze studies which assessed physical exercise at the workplace for treatment of low back pain.

Methods

The present study consisted of a systematic review with meta-analysis. An electronic search was conducted on database MEDLINE using keywords "workplace," "low back pain" and "exercise," synonyms and headings located on Health Sciences Descriptors and Medical Subject Headings. We considered all the studies that included physical exercise at the workplace and defined low back pain as outcome.

Results

We located 499 potential studies and finally included 15 for review. The duration of treatment varied from 3 weeks to 18 months, and the main interventions were strength and stretching exercises and muscle relaxation.

Conclusions

The meta-analysis showed that physical exercise at the workplace did not reduce the occurrence of low back pain (difference of means=0.62, 95%CI -0.8-2.04, p<0.4). The present systematic review was registered in database PROSPERO, registration number CRD42017071563.

Effects of Sling Exercise on Flexibility, Balance Ability, Body Form, and Pain in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sling exercise on pain, balance, flexibility, and body form in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP).

DESIGN

The pretest-posttest control group design.

METHODS

Thirty participants with chronic lumbar pain were divided into three groups (Sling only, Sling + Swing stick flexible bar, and Sling + Ball cushion) and exercised for 12 weeks.

FINDINGS

All types of sling exercises provided significant positive effects on pain scale, body balance, flexibility, and body form. In particular, the sling exercise with swing stick flexible bar or ball cushion was more effective on body form, flexibility, and balance than a sling alone.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, sling exercises over a period of 12 weeks had positive effects on flexibility, balance, pain, and body form in patients with chronic lumbar pain.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This study has generated effects of sling exercise, which will assist nursing practitioners in prescribing the beneficial physical rehabilitation for patients with chronic LBP.

Measuring limitations in activities of daily living: a population-based validation of a short questionnaire

PURPOSE

A newly developed questionnaire assessing limitations in activity of daily living (LADL-Q) that should improve assessment of LADL is tested in a large population-based validation study.

METHODS

This survey was paper-based. Overall, 16,634 individuals who were representative of the working population in the German-speaking part of Switzerland participated in the study. Item analysis was used the final version of the LADL-Q to four items per subscale that correspond to potential problems in three body regions (back and neck, upper extremities, lower extremities). Analysis included tests for reliability, internal consistency, dimensionality and convergent validity.

RESULTS

Test-retest reliability coefficients after 2 weeks ranged from 0.82 to 0.99 (Mdn = 0.87), with no item having a coefficient below 0.60. The median item-total coefficients ranged between moderate and good. Correlation coefficients between LADL-Q subscales and three validated clinical instruments (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index, shoulder pain disability index, Oswestry) ranged from 0.63 to 0.81. In structural equation modeling the three subscales were significantly related with two important outcomes in occupational rehabilitation: self-reported general health and daily task performance.

CONCLUSION

The new LADL-Q is a brief, reliable and valid tool for assessment of LADL in studies on musculoskeletal health.

Alterations in the ability to maintain balance as a result of stochastic resonance whole body vibration in women

Purpose

A vertical posture makes it difficult to maintain balance especially in the elderly. Loss of balance leads to falls and injuries. In the present study, we evaluated whether balance maintenance can be improved with the use of stochastic resonance whole body vibration (SR-WBV).

Methods

An examination of balance, involving 187 women aged 19–74 years, was conducted using double-plate posturography pre and post SR-WBV. The SR-WBV trainings were performed using the SRT Zeptor Medical-plus noise device. The entire study lasted 6 weeks, with a total of 12 training sessions, each consisting of nine 45 second series, with a 45 second pause between them.

Results

Post SR-WBV there was a reduction in the value of: the resultant mean velocity (MV) of the movement of COP (centre of pressure) for both lower limbs (B) and in the right lower limb (R) during the test with eyes closed (EC), the mean velocity and mean amplitude (MA) of the movement of COP along the x-axis (ML) of the left lower limb (L) during the test with eyes open (EO) and closed and some additional parameters. Negative correlations between age/index of improvement of MV-EC-B, MV-EC-L and MVML-EC-L, and BMI/index of improvement of MV-EC-B, MVML-EC-B appeared. Height correlated positively with the index of improvement of MV-EC-B and MVML-EC-B.

Conclusions

As a result of SR-WBV, the left leg is more stable along the x-axis and the disproportion between the stability of both legs is reduced. Consequently, body stability is higher. The SR-WBV is more effective in younger, taller and slimmer women. SR-WBV parameters should be optimized so that the training is more beneficial for elderly and shorter women, and for women with a higher BMI.

The influence of trait anxiety and illusory kinesthesia on pain threshold

[Purpose] It has also been reported that decreased activity in the reward pathway causes a decrease in brain activity in the descending pain control system in people with high trait anxiety. Activation of this system is dependent on both the reward pathway and motor areas. Recently, studies have also shown that motor areas are activated by illusory kinesthesia. It was aimed to explore whether anxiety trait modulates the influence of illusory kinesthesia on pain threshold. [Subjects and Methods] The pain threshold and trait anxiety at rest before vibratory tendon stimulation (the task) were measured. After the task, the pain threshold, the illusory kinesthesia angle, and the intensity of illusory kinesthesia for patients with and without illusory kinesthesia were measured. A total of 35 healthy right-handed students participated, among whom 22 and 13 were included in the illusion and no-illusion groups, respectively. [Results] There was a significant increase in the pain threshold after task completion in both groups; however, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Correlational analysis revealed that State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-trait score correlated negatively with the pain threshold in the no-illusion group, but there was no correlation in the illusion group. [Conclusion] The pain threshold improved regardless of the size of trait anxiety in the illusion group, but did not improve merely through sensory input by vibratory stimulation in the no-illusion group. Thus, illusory kinesthesia has effect of increasing the pain threshold.

Whole-body vibration training as a workplace-based sports activity for employees with chronic low-back pain

The goal of this randomized and controlled study was to examine whether whole-body vibration (WBV) training is able to reduce back pain and physical disability in seated working office employees with chronic low-back pain in a real-world setting. A total of 41 subjects (68.3% female/mean age 45.5±9.1 years/mean BMI 26.6±5.2) were randomly allocated to an intervention group (INT [n=21]) or a control group (CON [n=20]). The INT participated in WBV training 2.5 times per week for 3 months. The primary outcome was the change in the Roland and Morris disability questionnaire (RMQ) score over the study period. In addition, secondary outcomes included changes in the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), the Work Ability Index Questionnaire, the quality of life questionnaire SF-36, the Freiburger activity questionnaire, and an isokinetic test of the musculature of the trunk. Compliance with the intervention in the INT reached a mean of 81.1%±31.2% with no long-lasting unwanted side effects. We found significant positive effects of 3 months of WBV training in the INT compared to the CON regarding the RMQ (P=.027), the ODI (P=.002), the SF-36 (P=.013), the Freiburger activity questionnaire (P=.022), the post-interventional sick-leave in the INT (P=.008), and trends regarding a positive effect of the intervention on the muscular capacity of the muscles of the trunk in flexion. WBV training seems to be an effective, safe, and suitable intervention for seated working employees with chronic low-back pain.

Stochastic resonance whole body vibration increases perceived muscle relaxation but not cardiovascular activation: A randomized controlled trial

AIM

To investigate the acute effects of stochastic resonance whole body vibration (SR-WBV), including muscle relaxation and cardiovascular activation.

METHODS

Sixty-four healthy students participated. The participants were randomly assigned to sham SR-WBV training at a low intensity (1.5 Hz) or a verum SR-WBV training at a higher intensity (5 Hz). Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR) and self-reported muscle relaxation were assessed before and immediately after SR-WBV.

RESULTS

Two factorial analyses of variance (ANOVA) showed a significant interaction between pre- vs post-SR-WBV measurements and SR-WBV conditions for muscle relaxation in the neck and back [F(1,55) = 3.35, P = 0.048, η² = 0.07]. Muscle relaxation in the neck and back increased in verum SR-WBV, but not in sham SR-WBV. No significant changes between pre- and post-training levels of SBD, DBD and HR were observed either in sham or verum SR-WBV conditions. With verum SR-WBV, improved muscle relaxation was the most significant in participants who reported the experience of back, neck or shoulder pain more than once a month (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

A single session of SR-WBV increased muscle relaxation in young healthy individuals, while cardiovascular load was low. An increase in musculoskeletal relaxation in the neck and back is a potential mediator of pain reduction in preventive worksite SR-WBV trials.

Sensory-motor training targeting motor dysfunction and muscle weakness in long-term care elderly combined with motivational strategies: a single blind randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND

This study evaluated the effects of a combined innovative training regime consisting of stochastic resonance whole-body vibration (SR-WBV) and a dance video game (DVG) on physical performance and muscle strength in long-term-care dwelling elderly.

METHODS

Thirthy long-term-care elderly were randomly allocated to an intervention group (IG; n = 16) receiving combined SR-WBV training and DVG, or a sham group (SG; n = 14). IG performed five sets one minute of SR-WBV, with one minute rest between sets (base frequency 3 Hz up to 6 Hz, Noise 4) during the first five weeks on three days per week. From week five to eight a DVG was added to SR-WBV for IG on three days per week. SG performed a five-set SR-WBV program (1 Hz, Noise 1) lasting five times one minute, with one minute rest in between, three days a week. From week five to eight stepping exercises on a trampoline were added on three days per week.

PRIMARY OUTCOME

Short physical performance battery (SPPB). Secondary outcome: isometric maximal voluntary contraction (IMVC), and sub phases of IMVC (Fsub), isometric rate of force development (IRFD) and sub time phases of IRFD (IRFDsub) were measured at baseline, after four and eight weeks. ANOVA with repeated measures was used for analyses of time and interaction effects and MANOVA determined between group intervention effects.

RESULTS

Between group effects revealed significant effects on the SPPB primary outcome after four weeks F(1, 27) = 6.17; p = 0.02) and after eight weeks F(1,27) = 11.8; p = 0.002). Secondary muscle function related outcome showed significant between group effects in IG on IRFD, Fsub 30 ms, 100 ms, 200 ms and IRFDsub 0-30 ms, 0-50 ms, 0-100 ms and 100-200 ms compared to SG (all p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Eight weeks SR-WBV and DVG intervention improved lower extremity physical function and muscle strength compared to a sham intervention in long-term-care elderly. SR-WBV and DVG seems to be effective as a training regime for skilling up in long-term-care elderly.

Work-Family Conflict, Task Interruptions, and Influence at Work Predict Musculoskeletal Pain in Operating Room Nurses

Background

The aim of this study is to examine the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints in Swiss operating room (OR) nurses, and to investigate how work–family conflict, work interruptions, and influence at work are related to lumbar and cervical back pain.

Methods

Participants in this correlational questionnaire study included 116 OR nurses from eight different hospitals in Switzerland.

Results

We found that 66% of the OR staff suffered from musculoskeletal problems. The most prevalent musculoskeletal complaints were lumbar (52.7%) and cervical pain (38.4%). Furthermore, 20.5% reported pain in the mid spine region, 20.5% in the knees and legs, and 9.8% in the hands and feet. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that work–family conflict (p < 0.05) and interruptions (p < 0.05) significantly predicted lumbar and cervical pain in OR nurses, while influence at work (p < 0.05) only predicted lumbar pain.

Conclusion

These results suggest that reducing the work–family conflict and interruptions at work, as well as offering opportunities to influence one's workplace, help to promote OR nurses' health.

Stochastic resonance whole-body vibration improves postural control in health care professionals: a worksite randomized controlled trial

Slip, trip, and fall injuries are frequent among health care workers. Stochastic resonance whole-body vibration training was tested to improve postural control. Participants included 124 employees of a Swiss university hospital. The randomized controlled trial included an experimental group given 8 weeks of training and a control group with no intervention. In both groups, postural control was assessed as mediolateral sway on a force plate before and after the 8-week trial. Mediolateral sway was significantly decreased by stochastic resonance whole-body vibration training in the experimental group but not in the control group that received no training (p < .05). Stochastic resonance whole-body vibration training is an option in the primary prevention of balance-related injury at work.

Stochastic resonance whole-body vibration improves postural control in health care professionals: a worksite randomized controlled trial

Slip, trip, and fall injuries are frequent among health care workers. Stochastic resonance whole-body vibration training was tested to improve postural control. Participants included 124 employees of a Swiss university hospital. The randomized controlled trial included an experimental group given 8 weeks of training and a control group with no intervention. In both groups, postural control was assessed as mediolateral sway on a force plate before and after the 8-week trial. Mediolateral sway was significantly decreased by stochastic resonance whole-body vibration training in the experimental group but not in the control group that received no training (p < .05). Stochastic resonance whole-body vibration training is an option in the primary prevention of balance-related injury at work.