Whole-body vibration decreases the proliferativeb response of TCD4(+) cells in elderly individuals with knee osteoarthritis

The effects of whole-body vibration therapy on immune and brain functioning: current insights in the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms

Whole-body vibration (WBV) therapy is a way of passive exercise in which subjects are exposed to mild and well-controlled mechanical vibrations through a vibrating platform. For a long time, studies have focused on the effects and applications of WBV to enhance musculoskeletal performance in athletes and patients suffering from musculoskeletal disorders. Recent evidence points toward the positive effect of WBV on the brain and its therapeutic potential in brain disorders. Research being done in the field gradually reveals cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying WBV affecting the body and brain. Particularly, the influence of WBV on immune and brain function is a growing field that warrants an up-to-date and integrated review. Immune function is closely intertwined with brain functioning and plays a significant role in various brain disorders. Dysregulation of the immune response is linked to conditions such as neuroinflammation, neurodegenerative diseases, and mood disorders, highlighting the crucial connection between the immune system and the brain. This review aims to explore the impact of WBV on the cellular and molecular pathways involved in immune and brain functions. Understanding the effects of WBV at a cellular and molecular level will aid in optimizing WBV protocols to improve its therapeutic potential for brain disorders.

Mechanical-based therapies may reduce pain and disability in some patients with knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review with meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Mechanical-based therapies are not yet recommended to manage osteoarthritis (OA). This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to assess the effects of passive mechanical-based therapies (isolated or combined with other therapies) on patients with knee OA compared to placebo, other isolated or combined interventions.

METHODS

Pubmed, Cochrane, Web of Science and EMBASE were searched up to December 2020. We included randomized and non-randomized trials using therapeutic ultrasound, phonophoresis, extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and vibration (single or combined with other therapies) compared to placebo, and/or other physical therapies groups. Biochemical, patient-reported, physical and imaging outcome measures were retrieved. We judged risk of bias using the RoB2 tool for randomized studies, the ROBINS-I tool for non-randomized studies, and the GRADE to interpret certainty of results.

RESULTS

We included 77 clinical studies. Ultrasound and ESWT statistically improved pain and disability comparing to placebo (combined or not with other therapies), and when added to other therapies versus other therapies alone. Ultrasound was statistically inferior to phonophoresis (combined or not with other therapies) in reducing pain and disability for specific therapeutic gels and/or combined therapies. Vibration plus exercise statistically improved pain relief and function versus exercise alone. All meta-analyses showed very-low certainty of evidence, with 15 of 42 (38%) pooled comparisons being statistically significant (weak to large effect).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the inconsistent evidence with very-low certainty, the potential benefits of passive mechanical-based therapies should not be disregard and cautiously recommended that clinicians might use them in some patients with knee OA.

The Application of Whole-Body Vibration Training in Knee Osteoarthritis

With the gradual increase of the aging population in Chinese society, the incidence of knee osteoarthritis showed an increasing trend. However, there are very few practical solutions for it. As a novel neuromuscular training technique, whole-body vibration training has become a candidate for treating knee osteoarthritis. In this review, we firstly elaborated on the mode of action and influence factors of the whole-body vibration training. Next, we summarized its effects in knee osteoarthritis, including improving knee function and some uncertain muscle function and proprioception effects. Next, we also summarized its possible mechanisms, including improving bone microstructure, delaying articular cartilage degeneration, modulating inflammatory cells and inflammatory factors. Then, we summarized the clinical effectiveness of whole-body vibration training by analyzing some clinical randomized controlled trials. Finally, based on the above summary, we analyzed and listed the limitations of whole-body vibration training in treating knee osteoarthritis and found the shortcomings in the existing studies. This review provides ideas for the future application of whole-body vibration training in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

Potential Application of Whole Body Vibration Exercise For Improving The Clinical Conditions of COVID-19 Infected Individuals: A Narrative Review From the World Association of Vibration Exercise Experts (WAVex) Panel

COVID-19 is a highly infectious respiratory disease which leads to several clinical conditions related to the dysfunction of the respiratory system along with other physical and psychological complaints. Severely affected patients are referred to intensive care units (ICUs), limiting their possibilities for physical exercise. Whole body vibration (WBV) exercise is a non-invasive, physical therapy, that has been suggested as part of the procedures involved with pulmonary rehabilitation, even in ICU settings. Therefore, in the current review, the World Association of Vibration Exercise Experts (WAVEX) reviewed the potential of WBV exercise as a useful and safe intervention for the management of infected individuals with COVID-19 by mitigating the inactivity-related declines in physical condition and reducing the time in ICU. Recommendations regarding the reduction of fatigue and the risk of dyspnea, the improvement of the inflammatory and redox status favoring cellular homeostasis and the overall improvement in the quality of life are provided. Finally, practical applications for the use of this paradigm leading to a better prognosis in bed bound and ICU-bound subjects is proposed.

Whole body vibration elicits differential immune and metabolic responses in obese and normal weight individuals

Traditional aerobic exercise reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases by inducing immune, metabolic, and myokine responses. Following traditional exercise, both the magnitude and time-course of these beneficial responses are different between obese compared to normal weight individuals. Although obesity may affect the ability to engage in traditional exercise, whole body vibration (WBV) has emerged as a more tolerable form of exercise . The impact of WBV on immune, metabolic, and myokine responses as well as differences between normal weight and obese individuals, however, is unknown.

Purpose

To determine if WBV elicits differential magnitudes and time-courses of immune, metabolic, and myokine responses between obese and normal weight individuals.

Methods

21 participants [Obese (OB): n = 11, Age: 33 ± 4 y, percent body fat (%BF): 39.1 ± 2.4% & Normal weight (NW) n = 10, Age: 28 ± 8 y, %BF: 17.4 ± 2.1%] engaged in 10 cycles of WBV exercise [1 cycle = 1 min of vibration followed by 30 s of rest]. Blood samples were collected pre-WBV (PRE), immediately (POST), 3 h (3H), and 24 h (24H) post-WBV and analyzed for leukocytes, insulin, glucose, and myokines (IL-6, decorin, myostatin).

Results

The peak (3H) percent change in neutrophil counts (OB: 13.9 ± 17.4 vs. NW: 47.2 ± 6.2%Δ; p = 0.007) was different between groups. The percent change in neutrophil percentages was increased in NW (POST: -1.6 ± 2.0 vs. 3H: 13.0 ± 7.2%Δ, p = 0.019) but not OB (p > 0.05). HOMA β-cell function was increased at 24H (PRE: 83.4 ± 5.4 vs. 24H: 131.0 ± 14.1%; p = 0.013) in NW and was not altered in OB (p > 0.05). PRE IL-6 was greater in OB compared to NW (OB: 2.7 ± 0.6 vs. NW: 0.6 ± 0.1 pg/mL; p = 0.011); however, the percent change from PRE to peak (3H) was greater in NW (OB: 148.1 ± 47.9 vs. NW: 1277.9 ± 597.6 %Δ; p = 0.035). Creatine kinase, decorin, and myostatin were not significantly altered in either group (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Taken together, these data suggest that acute whole body vibration elicits favorable immune, metabolic, and myokine responses and that these responses differ between obese and normal weight individuals.

Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) Decreases Cell Proliferation and TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-2 Cytokines Production in Cultures of Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes

Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) is an amphipathic molecule composed of a polar domain characterized by the sulfinyl and two nonpolar methyl groups, for this reason it is able to solubilize polar and nonpolar substances and transpose hydrophobic barriers. DMSO is widely used to solubilize drugs of therapeutic applications and studies indicated that 10% v/v concentration did not modify culture viability when used to treat human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). However, some DMSO concentrations could influence lymphocyte activation and present anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of DMSO on lymphocyte activation parameters. Cell viability analysis, proliferation, and cytokine production were performed on PBMC from six healthy subjects by flow cytometry. The results indicated that 2.5% v/v DMSO concentrations did not modify lymphocytes viability. DMSO at 1% and 2% v/v concentrations reduced the relative proliferation index of lymphocytes and at 5% and 10% v/v concentrations reduced the percentage of total lymphocytes, cluster of differentiation 4⁺ (CD4⁺) T lymphocytes and CD8⁺ T lymphocytes interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) producers. Thus, it was concluded that DMSO has an in vitro anti-inflammatory effect by reducing lymphocyte activation demonstrated with proliferation reduction and the decrease of cytokine production.

EFFECT OF A SHORT PERIOD WHOLE BODY VIBRATION WITH 10 HZ ON BLOOD BIOMARKERS IN WISTAR RATS

BACKGROUND

Exposure to whole body vibration exercises (WBVE), besides some biological effects, causes alterations in the concentration of some blood biomarkers. The aim of this study is to evaluate the action of vibration (10 Hz) of WBVE on the concentration of blood biomarkers in Wistar rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Wistar rats were divided in 2 groups. The experimental group (EG) was subjected to vibrations of 10Hz (one min per day, one week, total time of seven min), while the control group (CG) has not experienced vibration. Samples of whole blood were drawn for biochemical analysis of the concentration of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, VLDL, glucose, CPK, albumin, alkaline phosphates, TGP, TGO, γGT, lipase, amylase, urea and creatinine.

RESULTS

White blood cell count and a platelet-hemogram were also performed. Significant (p<0.05) increase in TGP, TGO and white blood cells and decrease in LDL concentration was found after exposure of 10Hz mechanical vibration.

CONCLUSION

Although these findings were obtained with rats, they might contribute to try to understand better these mechanisms that occur following exposure to a frequency of 10Hz.

Effect of whole body vibration training on quadriceps muscle strength in individuals with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Several studies have reported the effects of whole body vibration (WBV) training on muscle strength. This systematic review investigates the current evidence regarding the effects of WBV training on quadriceps muscle strength in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

DATA SOURCES

We searched PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, PEDro, and Science citation index for research articles published prior to March 2015 using the keywords whole body vibration, vibration training, strength and vibratory exercise in combination with the Medical Subject Heading 'Osteoarthritis knee'.

STUDY SELECTION

This meta-analysis was limited to randomized controlled trials published in the English language.

DATA EXTRACTION

The quality of the selected studies was assessed by two independent evaluators using the PEDro scale and criteria given by the International Society of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions (ISMNI) for reporting WBV intervention studies. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane collaboration's tool for domain-based evaluation. Isokinetic quadriceps muscle strength was calculated for each intervention.

RESULTS

Eighteen studies were identified in the search. Of these, four studies met the inclusion criteria. Three of these four studies reached high methodological quality on the PEDro scale. Out of the four studies, only one study found significantly greater quadriceps muscle strength gains following WBV compared to the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

In three of the four studies that compared a control group performing the same exercise as the WBV groups, no additional effect of WBV on quadriceps muscle strength in individuals with knee OA was indicated.

Therapeutic effects of whole-body vibration training in knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To examine the current evidence regarding the effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) training in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

DATA SOURCES

We searched PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and Science Citation Index for research articles published prior to January 2015 using the keywords whole body vibration, vibration training, and vibratory exercise in combination with the Medical Subject Heading osteoarthritis knee.

STUDY SELECTION

This meta-analysis was restricted to randomized controlled trials published in the English language. The quality of the selected studies was assessed by the PEDro Scale. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane collaboration's tool in the domain-based evaluation. We also evaluated the quality of each study based on the criteria given by the International Society of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions for reporting WBV intervention studies, consisting of 13 factors.

DATA EXTRACTION

Descriptive data regarding subjects, design, intervention, WBV parameters, outcomes, and conclusions were collected from each study by 2 independent evaluators. The mean and SD of the baseline and final endpoint scores for pain, stiffness, and function were extracted from the included studies.

DATA SYNTHESIS

A total of 83 studies were found in the search. Of these, 5 studies met the inclusion criteria and were further analyzed. Four of these 5 studies reached high methodologic quality on the PEDro Scale. Overall, studies demonstrated mixed results in favor of additive effects of WBV for reducing pain and improving function in knee OA. There was considerable variation in the parameters of the WBV included in this systematic review.

CONCLUSIONS

WBV training reduces pain and improves function in individuals with knee OA.

Physical therapies for improving balance and reducing falls risk in osteoarthritis of the knee: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

osteoarthritis (OA) of knee has been reported as a risk factor for falls and reduced balance in the elderly. This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of physical therapies in improving balance and reducing falls risk among patients with knee OA.

METHODS

a computerised search was performed to identify relevant studies up to November 2013. Two investigators identified eligible studies and extracted data independently. The quality of the included studies was assessed by the PeDro score.

RESULTS

a total of 15 randomised controlled trials involving 1482 patients were identified. The mean PeDro score was 7. The pooled standardised mean difference in balance outcome for strength training = 0.3346 (95% CI: 0.3207-0.60, P = 0.01 < 0.00001, P for heterogeneity = 0.85, I(2) = 0%). Tai Chi = 0.7597 (95% CI: 0.5130-1.2043, P<=0.0014, P for heterogeneity = 0.26, I(2) = 0%) and aerobic exercises = 0.6880 (95% CI: 0.5704-1.302, P < 0.00001, P for heterogeneity = 0.71, I(2) = 0%). While pooled results for falls risk outcomes in, strength training, Tai chi and aerobics also showed a significant reduction in reduced risk of falls significantly with pooled result 0.55 (95% CI: 0.41-0.68, P < 0.00001, P for heterogeneity = 0.39, I(2) = 6%).

CONCLUSION

strength training, Tai Chi and aerobics exercises improved balance and falls risk in older individuals with knee OA, while water-based exercises and light treatment did not significantly improve balance outcomes. Strength training, Tai Chi and aerobics exercises can therefore be recommended as falls prevention strategies for individuals with OA. However, a large randomised controlled study using actual falls outcomes is recommended to determine the appropriate dosage and to measure the potential benefits in falls reduction.

Effects of whole body vibration on pain, stiffness and physical functions in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective:

To assess the effects of whole body vibration for pain, stiffness and physical functions in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Data sources:

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) and EMBASE (up to October 2014) to identify relevant randomized controlled trials. The outcome measures were pain, stiffness and physical functions.

Review methods:

Two investigators identified eligible studies and extracted data independently. The PEDro score was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the selected studies. Standard mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 test.

Results:

A total of five randomized controlled trials involving 170 patients with knee osteoarthritis met the inclusion criteria. Only four studies involving 144 patients were deemed to be good quality trials (PEDro score = 6–7). Meta-analysis revealed that whole body vibration has a significant treatment effect in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities index physical function score (SMD = −0.72 points, 95% CI = −1.14 to −0.30, P = 0.0008), 12 weeks whole body vibration improved the 6-minute walk test (SMD 1.15 m, 95% CI 0.50 to 1.80, P = 0.0006) and balance (SMD = −0.78 points, 95% CI −1.40 to −0.16, P = 0.01). Whole body vibration was not associated with a significant reduction in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities index pain and stiffness score.

Conclusion:

Eight-week and 12-week whole body vibration is beneficial for improving physical functions in patients with knee osteoarthritis and could be included in rehabilitation programs.

Leukocytosis, muscle damage and increased lymphocyte proliferative response after an adventure sprint race

The effect of an adventure sprint race (ASR) on T-cell proliferation, leukocyte count and muscle damage was evaluated. Seven young male runners completed an ASR in the region of Serra do Espinhaço, Brazil. The race induced a strong leukocytosis (6.22±2.04×10³ cells/mm³ before vs 14.81±3.53×10³ cells/mm³ after the race), marked by a significant increase of neutrophils and monocytes (P<0.05), but not total lymphocytes, CD3⁺CD4⁺ or CD3⁺CD8⁺ cells. However, the T-cell proliferative response to mitogenic stimulation was increased (P=0.025) after the race, which contradicted our hypothesis that ASR, as a high-demand competition, would inhibit T-cell proliferation. A positive correlation (P=0.03, r=0.79) was observed between the proliferative response of lymphocytes after the race and the time to complete the race, suggesting that the proliferative response was dependent on exercise intensity. Muscle damage was evident after the race by increased serum levels of aspartate amino transferase (24.99±8.30 vs 50.61±15.76 U/L, P=0.003). The results suggest that humoral factors and substances released by damaged muscle may be responsible for lymphocyte activation, which may be involved in muscle recovery and repair.