Whole-body Vibration for Osteoarthritis

Overseen By Ryan Harris, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Augusta University

Disqualifiers: Balance issues, Falls, Epilepsy, Pregnancy, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 3 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 12 weeks

30 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. Please consult with the trial coordinators for more details.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Whole-body Vibration for Osteoarthritis?

Research shows that whole-body vibration training can help reduce pain and improve muscle strength in people with knee osteoarthritis, making it a potentially beneficial treatment for managing symptoms. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is whole-body vibration training safe for humans?

Whole-body vibration training (WBVT) is generally considered safe for humans, but excessive or chronic exposure can lead to negative effects on various body systems, such as the skeletal and digestive systems. It's important to follow recommended guidelines to minimize risks. ^{1 3 5 6 7}

How is whole-body vibration training different from other treatments for osteoarthritis?

Whole-body vibration training (WBVT) is unique because it involves applying vibrations to the entire body to improve muscle strength, bone density, and balance, unlike traditional treatments that may focus on medication or localized physical therapy. ^{1 3 4 5 6}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this proposal is to understand how the Vibrant Health Ultimate whole-body vibration (WBV) machine affects pain and inflammation in older adults. The investigators' hypothesize that sub-acute (12 weeks) WBV will lead to improvement in the level of knee pain and improve vascular function via a decrease in systemic inflammation.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for men and women aged 40-75 who have been experiencing knee pain from osteoarthritis for at least six months. It's not suitable for those who are pregnant, have used whole-body vibration recently, can't stand for 20 minutes, are outside the age range, have a history of falls or balance issues, epilepsy, or recent knee surgery.

Inclusion Criteria

I am either a man or a woman.

I have had knee pain from arthritis for at least 6 months.

I am between 40 and 75 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

You have a history of problems with your balance.

You have a history of falling down.

I am either younger than 40 or older than 75.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo 12 weeks of home-based whole-body vibration training to assess effects on knee pain and inflammation

12 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Sub Acute Whole Body Vibration Training

Trial Overview The study is testing if using the Vibrant Health Ultimate whole-body vibration machine can reduce pain and inflammation in older adults with osteoarthritis. Participants will undergo sub-acute WBV training over a period of 12 weeks to see if it improves their knee pain and vascular function.

Participant Groups

Group I: Whole Body Training (12 week) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Sub Acute Whole Body Vibration Training is already approved in European Union, United States, China for the following indications:

Approved in European Union as Whole Body Vibration Training for:

• Rehabilitation for stroke patients
• Improvement of muscle strength and balance
• Treatment of osteoporosis
• Management of spasticity in cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis

Approved in United States as Whole Body Vibration Training for:

• Rehabilitation for stroke patients
• Improvement of muscle strength and balance
• Treatment of osteoporosis
• Management of spasticity in cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis

Approved in China as Whole Body Vibration Training for:

• Rehabilitation for stroke patients
• Improvement of muscle strength and balance
• Treatment of osteoporosis
• Management of spasticity in cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Augusta University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

219

Recruited

85,900+

Findings from Research

Whole-body vibration training (WBVT) did not significantly improve exercise capacity in COPD patients compared to conventional training, as measured by sit-to-stand and 6-minute walk tests over a 3-month program involving 28 participants.

Despite the lack of improvement in exercise capacity, WBVT showed some benefits in quality of life measures, with significant improvements in three out of four categories of the chronic respiratory disease questionnaire (CRQ) and a trend towards better scores in the COPD assessment test (CAT).

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Whole-Body Vibration Training During a Low Frequency Outpatient Exercise Training Program in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Spielmanns, M., Gloeckl, R., Gropp, JM., et al.[2023]

Whole-body vibration training (WBVT) can lead to potentially harmful levels of vibration exposure, exceeding safety standards set by ISO 2631-1, even with just 10 minutes of training per day.

The study found that performing slow, unloaded squats during WBVT with vertical forces (VV) resulted in greater head acceleration and mechanical impedance compared to using upward forces on one foot at a time (RV), suggesting that RV may pose a lower risk of adverse health effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Vibration exposure and biodynamic responses during whole-body vibration training. Abercromby, AF., Amonette, WE., Layne, CS., et al.[2022]

Whole-body vibration (WBV) training has shown potential benefits in improving bone density in the hip and tibia, but not in the lumbar spine, indicating its specific effects on certain areas of the body.

While some studies suggest that WBV can enhance muscle performance, balance, and functional mobility in older adults, the overall quality of the research is variable, and more rigorous studies are needed to establish safe and effective training parameters.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of whole-body vibration training in aging adults: a systematic review. Merriman, H., Jackson, K.[2019]

Whole body vibration training (WBV) significantly reduced myocardial infarct size in rats subjected to ischemia-reperfusion injury, indicating improved cardiac tolerance to such injuries.

Rats that underwent WBV experienced fewer and shorter episodes of ventricular tachycardia and had a lower mortality rate from ventricular fibrillation compared to the control group, suggesting enhanced cardiac safety during stress.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Whole-Body Vibration Training Increases Myocardial Salvage Against Acute Ischemia in Adult Male Rats. Shekarforoush, S., Naghii, MR.[2020]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Therapeutic effects of whole-body vibration training in knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. [2022]

2. Korea (South) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Therapeutic effect of whole body vibration on chronic knee osteoarthritis. [2022]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of whole body vibration training on quadriceps muscle strength in individuals with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. [2022]

4. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Whole-Body Vibration Training During a Low Frequency Outpatient Exercise Training Program in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. [2023]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Vibration exposure and biodynamic responses during whole-body vibration training. [2022]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of whole-body vibration training in aging adults: a systematic review. [2019]

7. Brazil pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Whole-Body Vibration Training Increases Myocardial Salvage Against Acute Ischemia in Adult Male Rats. [2020]