Transmission of Acceleration From a Synchronous Vibration Exercise Platform to the Head During Dynamic Squats

Efficacy and safety of whole-body vibration therapy for post-stroke spasticity: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

One of the main objectives of stroke rehabilitation is to alleviate post-stroke spasticity. Over the recent years, many studies have explored the potential benefits of whole-body vibration (WBV) treatment for post-stroke spasticity, but it is still controversial.

Objective

The current study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of WBV for post-stroke spasticity and determine the appropriate application situation.

Methods

From their establishment until August 2022, the following databases were searched: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Medline, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that were published in either English or Chinese were taken into consideration. We independently filtered the research, gathered the data from the studies, and evaluated the research quality (Cochrane RoB tool) and the overall evidence quality (GRADE). Rev Man 5.4 software was utilized to conduct statistical analysis.

Results

In this analysis, 11 RCTs with 475 patients that reported on the effectiveness of WBV therapy for post-stroke spasticity were taken into account. Compared to the control groups, the results revealed that WBV combined with conventional rehabilitation at a vibration frequency lower than 20 Hz (SMD = -0.58, 95% CI: -0.98 to -0.19, P = 0.004) was more effective in relieving upper (SMD = -0.53, 95% CI: -1.04 to 0.03, P = 0.03) and lower limb spasticity (SMD = -0.21, 95% CI: -0.40 to -0.01, P = 0.04); similarly, it was superior for patients aged under 60 years (SMD = -0.41, 95% CI: -0.66 to -0.17, P = 0.0008) with acute and subacute stroke (SMD = -0.39, 95% CI: -0.68 to -0.09, P = 0.01). The valid vibration for reducing spasticity was found to last for 10 min (SMD = -0.41, 95% CI: -0.75 to -0.07, P = 0.02). None of the included studies revealed any serious adverse impact.

Conclusion

Moderate-quality evidence demonstrated when WBV was used as an adjuvant, vibration <20 Hz for 10 min was effective and secure in treating upper and lower limb spasticity in patients with acute and subacute stroke under the age of 60 years.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier: CRD42022293951.

Effects of Whole-Body Vibration Training with Different Body Positions and Amplitudes on Lower Limb Muscle Activity in Middle-Aged and Older Women

Purpose

The present study was designed to investigate the electromyographic (EMG) response in leg muscles to whole-body vibration while using different body positions and vibration amplitudes.

Methods:

An experimental study with repeated measures design involved a group of community-dwelling middle-aged and older women (n = 15; mean age=60.8 ± 4.18 years). Muscle activity of the gluteus maximus (GM), rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis (VM), vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (BF), and gastrocnemius (GS) was measured by surface electromyography, which participants were performing three different body positions during three WBV amplitudes. The body positions included static semi-squat, static semi-squat with elastic band loading, and dynamic semi-squat. Vibration stimuli tested were 0 mm, 2 mm, and 4 mm amplitude and 30 Hz frequencies. And the maximum accelerations produced by vibration stimuli with amplitudes of 2 mm and 4 mm are approximately 1.83 g and 3.17 g.

Results:

Significantly greater muscle activity was recorded in VL, BF, and GS. When WBV was applied to training, compared with the same training without WBV (P < .05). There were significant main effects of body positions on EMGrms for the GM, RF, and VM (P < .05). Compared to static semi-squat, static semi-squat with elastic band significantly increased the EMGrms of GM, and dynamic semi-squat significantly increased the EMGrms of GM, RF and VM (P < .05). And there were significant main effects of amplitudes on EMGrms for the GM, RF, and VM (P < .05). The EMGrms of the VL, BF, and GS at 4 mm were significantly higher than 0 mm, and the EMGrms of the VL and BF at 4 mm were significantly higher than 2 mm. There was no significant body interaction between body positions and amplitudes (P > .05).

Conclusions:

The EMG amplitudes of most leg muscles tested were significantly greater during WBV exposure than in the no-WBV condition. The dynamic semi-squat 4 mm whole-body vibration training is recommended for middle-aged and older women to improve lower limb muscle strength and function.

Reporting Guidelines for Whole-Body Vibration Studies in Humans, Animals and Cell Cultures: A Consensus Statement from an International Group of Experts

Simple Summary

Whole-body vibration (WBV) is an exercise or treatment method used in sports, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation. During WBV, people sit, stand, or exercise on a platform that generates vibrations. These vibrations generally occur between 20 and 60 times per second and have a magnitude of one or several millimeters. Research is focused on the effects of WBV on, for instance, physical and cognitive functions as well as the underlying mechanisms that may explain the effects. Research is not only done in humans but in animals and cell cultures as well. It is important to report the studies correctly, completely, and consistently. This way, researchers can interpret and compare each other’s studies, and data of different studies can be combined and analyzed together. To serve this goal, we developed new guidelines on how to report on WBV studies. The guidelines include checklists for human and animal/cell culture research, explanations, and examples of how to report. We included information about devices, vibrations, administration, general protocol, and subjects. The guidelines are WBV-specific and can be used by researchers alongside general guidelines for specific research designs.

Abstract

Whole-body vibration (WBV) is an exercise modality or treatment/prophylaxis method in which subjects (humans, animals, or cells) are exposed to mechanical vibrations through a vibrating platform or device. The vibrations are defined by their direction, frequency, magnitude, duration, and the number of daily bouts. Subjects can be exposed while performing exercises, hold postures, sitting, or lying down. Worldwide, WBV has attracted significant attention, and the number of studies is rising. To interpret, compare, and aggregate studies, the correct, complete, and consistent reporting of WBV-specific data (WBV parameters) is critical. Specific reporting guidelines aid in accomplishing this goal. There was a need to expand existing guidelines because of continuous developments in the field of WBV research, including but not limited to new outcome measures regarding brain function and cognition, modified designs of WBV platforms and attachments (e.g., mounting a chair on a platform), and comparisons of animal and cell culture studies with human studies. Based on Delphi studies among experts and using EQUATOR recommendations, we have developed extended reporting guidelines with checklists for human and animal/cell culture research, including information on devices, vibrations, administration, general protocol, and subjects. In addition, we provide explanations and examples of how to report. These new reporting guidelines are specific to WBV variables and do not target research designs in general. Researchers are encouraged to use the new WBV guidelines in addition to general design-specific guidelines.