Exploring the Effects of Vibration Therapy
Related to Osteoporosis & Age-Related Concerns
Please note:
The following are presented as objective
studies conducted by independent researchers. Good
Vibrations 4 Life Inc. has no affiliation with any of the
following researchers or the publications listed, nor are the
studies presented in any particular order.
This is not intended to be a complete list
of studies, but an additional resource to individuals,
physicians and therapists.
Although some studies may suggest the use
of higher frequencies, Good Vibrations 4 Life Inc. suggests the
use of its vibration therapy equipment at frequencies below 30
Hz. Long-term exposure to frequencies of 30 Hz or more,
for as little as 10 minutes per day, have been shown to lead to
possibly detrimental health effects.
Good Vibrations 4 Life Inc. presents its
oscillating (rotational) vibration therapy GVM TM as a more
pleasant, safe and comfortable alternative to (simultaneous)
vertical vibration therapy machines.
Studies:
Journal of Rehabilitation Research &
Development, Number 4, 2009
Whole-body vibration as potential
intervention for people with low bone mineral density and
osteoporosis: A review
From the article:
"…utilizing oscillatory
alternating vibrations (12.6 Hz, median 3.3 g [oscillatory
alternating], and 0.7 g [vertical]), reported a 4.3 percent
increase in BMD at the femoral neck in the group receiving an
8-month WBV intervention compared with the walking control
group…"
“One study looking at the effects of
vertical versus oscillatory alternating vibrations on bone
biomarkers found no significant difference between
groups but reported a slightly greater
increase of procollagen type 1 N-propeptide, a biomarker of
bone formation, following oscillatory alternating
vibrations...”
Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy:
2009 - Volume 32
The Effects of Whole?Body Vibration
Training in Aging Adults: A Systematic Review
From the article:
"…improvements in muscle
performance, balance, and functional mobility with WBV as
compared to traditional exercise programs. Bone studies
consistently showed that WBV improved bone density in the hip
and tibia but not in the lumbar spine."
Physical Therapy - Journal of the
American Physical Therapy Association, December 13, 2007
Effects of Whole-Body Vibration Exercise
on Lower-Extremity Muscle Strength and Power in an Older
Population: A Randomized Clinical Trial
From the article:
"Vibration training contributed to an
increase in plantar flexor strength and power. However, the
strength gains for the knee and hip flexors and extensors for
the VIB group and the EX group were comparable. Future
vibration protocols should explore different body positions to
target muscles higher up on the leg."
Journal of the American Geriatrics
Society, June 2004
Whole-Body-Vibration Training Increases
Knee-Extension Strength and Speed of Movement in Older Women
From the article:
"WBV is a suitable training method
and is as efficient as conventional RES training to improve
knee-extension strength and speed of movement and
counter-movement jump performance in older women. As previously
shown in young women, it is suggested that the strength gain in
older women is mainly due to the vibration stimulus and not
only to the unloaded exercises performed on the WBV
platform."
Clinical Rehabilitation, August , 2011
The effects of whole body vibration
therapy on bone mineral density and leg muscle strength in
older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
From the article:
"Whole body vibration is beneficial
for enhancing leg muscle strength among older adults. However,
the review suggests that whole body vibration has no overall
treatment effect on bone mineral density in older women. No
randomized trial has examined the effects of whole body
vibration on bone mineral density in older men."
Arquivos Brasileiros de Endocrinologia
& Metabologia, July 2014
Physical exercise and osteoporosis:
effects of different types of exercises on bone and physical
function of postmenopausal women
From the article:
"Mechanical vibration has proven to
be beneficial for bone microarchitecture, improving bone
density and bone strength, as well as increasing physical
function. Although impact exercises are recognized as
beneficial for the stimulation of bone tissue, other variables
such as muscle strength, type of muscle contraction, duration
and intensity of exercises are also determinants to induce
changes in bone metabolism of postmenopausal women. Not only
osteoanabolic exercises should be recommended; activities aimed
to develop muscle strength and body balance and improve the
proprioception should be encouraged to prevent falls and
fractures."
Dove Press Journal: Clinical
Intervention in Aging, December 3, 2013
Effect of 6 months of whole body vibration
on lumbar spine bone density in postmenopausal women: a
randomized controlled trial
From the article:
"This study found that 6 months of
high-frequency and high-magnitude WBV* yielded significant
benefits to the BMD of the lumbar spine in postmenopausal
women, and could therefore be provided as an alternative
exercise."
*"…high-frequency (30 Hz) and
high-magnitude (3.2 g) WBV in a natural full-standing posture
for 5 minutes, three times per week…"
New England Journal of Medicine,
September 4, 1997
Effect of Calcium and Vitamin D
Supplementation on Bone Density in Men and Women 65 Years of
Age or Older
From the article:
"In men and women 65 years of age or
older who are living in the community, dietary supplementation
with calcium and vitamin D moderately reduced bone loss
measured in the femoral neck, spine, and total body over the
three-year study period and reduced the incidence of
nonvertebral fractures."
Journal of Bone and Mineral Research,
March 2004
Effect of 6-Month Whole Body Vibration
Training on Hip Density, Muscle Strength, and Postural Control
in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study
From the article:
"The training volume increased
systematically over the 6-month training period by increasing
the duration of one vibration session, the number of series of
one exercise, or the number of different exercises. The
training intensity was increased by shortening the rest periods
or by increasing the amplitude (low, 1.7 mm; high, 2.5 mm)
and/or the frequency (35-40 Hz) of the vibration. In addition,
training load was increased by changing the execution form of
the exercises from predominantly two-legged to one-legged
exercises. The duration of the WBV program was a maximum of 30
minutes, which included warming up and cooling down."
"No vibration-related side effects
were observed. Vibration training improved isometric and
dynamic muscle strength (+15% and + 16%, respectively; p <
0.01) and also significantly increased BMD of the hip (+0.93%,
p < 0.05). "
"…WBV training may be a
feasible and effective way to modify well-recognized risk
factors for falls and fractures in older women…"
Journal of Bone and Mineral Research,
March 2004
Prevention of Postmenopausal Bone Loss by
a Low-Magnitude, High-Frequency Mechanical Stimuli: A Clinical
Trial Assessing Compliance, Efficacy, and Safety
From the article:
"A 1-year prospective, randomized,
double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial of 70 postmenopausal
women demonstrated that brief periods (<20 minutes) of a
low-level (0.2g, 30 Hz) vibration applied during quiet standing
can effectively inhibit bone loss in the spine and femur, with
efficacy increasing significantly with greater compliance,
particularly in those subjects with lower body mass."
"…results indicate the
potential for a noninvasive, mechanically mediated intervention
for osteoporosis. This non-pharmacologic approach represents a
physiologically based means of inhibiting the decline in BMD
that follows menopause, perhaps most effectively in the spine
of lighter women who are in the greatest need of
intervention…"
Osteoporosis International, January 2011
Effects of whole body vibration on bone
mineral density and falls: results of the randomized controlled
ELVIS study with postmenopausal women
From the article:
"… the training including WBV
affected the number of falls significantly."
*Note: Low G Vibration:
Annals of Internal Medicine, November
2011
Effect of 12 Months of Whole-Body
Vibration Therapy on Bone Density and Structure in
Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Trial
From the article:
"Whole-body vibration therapy* at
0.3g and 90 or 30, Hz for 12 months did not alter BMD or bone
structure in postmenopausal women who received calcium and
vitamin D supplementation."
Osteoporosis International, December
2009
Exercise interventions to reduce
fall-related fractures and their risk factors in individuals
with low bone density: a systematic review of randomized
controlled trials
From the article:
"Exercise can reduce falls,
fall-related fractures, and several risk factors for falls in
individuals with low BMD. Exercise interventions for patients
with osteoporosis should include weight-bearing activities,
balance exercise, and strengthening exercises to reduce fall
and fracture risk."
Maturitas, July 2012
The effect of whole body vibration on
balance, mobility and falls in older adults: A systematic
review and meta-analysis
From the article:
" WBV may be effective in improving
relatively basic balance ability and mobility among older
adults, particularly frailer ones."
American Journal of Physical Medicine
& Rehabilitation: December 2010
The Effect of 8 Mos of Twice-Weekly Low-
or Higher Intensity Whole Body Vibration on Risk Factors for
Postmenopausal Hip Fracture
From the article:
"…within-group effects were
evident. Controls lost bone at the trochanter (?6%, P = 0.03)
and lumbar spine (?6.6%, P = 0.02), whereas whole body
vibration groups did not. Whole body vibration subjects
improved wall squat (up to 120%, P = 0.004) and chair rise
performance (up to 10.5%, P = 0.05)."
"Conclusions: Eight mos of
twice-weekly whole body vibration may reduce bone loss at the
hip and spine and improve lower limb muscle function. These
changes may translate to a decreased risk of falls and hip
fracture."
