The Effect of WBV on Balance, Mobility and Strength in Aging Adults: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Whole body vibration (WBV) exposure in elderly adults is found to increase physical activity and so the overall health status. For analyzing effects of WBV on muscle power, balance and overall mobility among elderly adults of age more than 60 years, comprehensive article search was performed from year 2013 till January 2017 on electronic databases of Medley, Google scholar and IEEE (institute of electrical and electronic engineering), search strategy and inclusion criteria was specified initially and then articles were recruited accordingly. Randomized controlled trails targeting WBV effects, compared to control group with some moderate exercise or no intervention at all, on muscle power, balance and mobility were studied and data extracted about author name, publication year, age and number of participants, WBV parameters, protocols of study, vibrating platform, description and comparison among interventions. Initially 656 records were identified in preliminary search through the databases, four studies finally were considered as eligible. Lower body muscle strength (14.8 ± 3.3 to 16.5 ± 3.6) and upper body strength (17.9 ± 4.5 to 20.3 ± 3.6) have shown significant results in all the studies. Improvement in balance and mobility was also significant with P<0.005 in comparison with control groups with no interventions. WBV alone or combined with exercise training program seems to improve muscle strength, overall balance and increased mobility among elder adults. Direct comparison among studies was not possible because of differences among parameters and study protocols. More extensive and well-designed research is still needed to establish efficacy and to understand the effects and influences more clearly.