Review Article

Benefits of Whole-Body Vibration with an Oscillating Platform for People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review

Table 3

Study protocols, measures, results, and conclusions from the selected papers.

ReferenceStudy protocolsMeasuresResultsConclusion

Schuhfried et al., [29]Beginning with 1 Hz increasing until the patient does not tolerate. With this frequency 5 series of 1 min each with breaks of 1 min each was done. In the placebo group a Burst-TENS application on the nondominant forearm in 5 series of 1 min each with a 1 min break between the series.Posturographic assessment using the sensory organization test and the TUGT at each time point of measurement after the application.Compared with the placebo group, the intervention group showed advantages.Conclusion: the results of this pilot study indicated that WBV may positively influence the postural control and mobility in MS patients.
Jackson et al., [30]After baseline measures of IT (quadriceps and hamstring muscle), subjects received WBV either 2 or 26 Hz.Torque values were measured again at one, 10, and 20 minutes after vibration.No significant differences in IT between 2 and 26 Hz. But, there was a consistent trend of higher torque values after the 26 Hz WBV when compared with the 2 Hz for quadriceps and hamstring muscles.Whether WBV presents a viable treatment option as either a warm-up activity or a long-term exercise intervention is yet to be determined.
Schyns et al., [31]Group treated: 4 weeks of a set exercise with WBV (40 Hz, 30 s), 3 times per week, followed by a rest period of 2 weeks and a further 4-week period of the same exercises without WBV, 3 times per week. Group control: exercise without WBV for 4 weeks first, rest for 2 weeks, and 4 weeks of exercise and WBV.Ten-metre walk, TUGT, modified ashworth scale, multiple sclerosis spasticity scale (MSSS-88), lower limb muscle force, Nottingham sensory assessment, and MS impact scale (MSIS-29) were used before and after intervention.Exercise program improved muscle force and wellbeing, but there the addition of WBV provided no further benefit. The 10 m walk and TUGT improved but without statistical significance. For most subjects sensation was unaffected by WBV.Exercise may be beneficial to those with MS, but there is limited evidence that the addition of WBV provides any additional improvements.
Wunderer et al., [32]Procedure included a 4-week baseline phase without intervention, 6 weeks of twice weekly WBV (40 Hz) on a platform, and a 4-week baseline phase without intervention. A single subject experimental design was replicated on three subjects.During all phases, strength of the ankle plantar flexors and knee extensors was assessed twice weekly with the Nicholas manual muscle tester and functional mobility with the TUGT.All subjects improved significantly in PFS. One subject improved significantly in KES bilaterally and one subject in the weaker leg. Two subjects improved significantly in functional mobility. Improvements in strength and mobility were maintained in the final baseline phase.Regular WBV training can improve lower limb strength and mobility in some individuals with MS.
Broekmans et al., [28]WBV group performed static and dynamic leg squats and lunges on a vibration platform during 20 weeks (5 training sessions per 2-week cycle). Control group maintained their usual lifestyle.PRE-, MID- (10 weeks), and POST- (20 weeks) knee-muscle maximal isometric and dynamic strength, strength endurance and speed of movement were measured. Function was determined through the Berg balance scale, TUGT, two-minute walk test and the timed 25-foot walk test.Leg muscle performance and functional capacity were not altered following 10 or 20 weeks of WBV.Under the conditions of the present study, the applied 20-week WBV exercise protocol did not improve leg muscle performance or functional capacity in mild-to-moderately impaired persons with MS during and immediately after the training program.

TENS—transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
TUGT—Timed Up and Go Test
IT—isometric torque
PFS—plantar flexor strength
KES—knee extensor strength.