Guidelines for conducting research on whole body vibration as a form of training or medical treatment

Whole-body vibration (WBV) is a form of training and physical therapy that uses mechanical vibrations to have a therapeutic effect on the human body. Scientific reports link WBV with the improvement in the functioning of muscles, skeleton, metabolism, physiological parameters, and even cognitive functions or quality of life. However, most publications on the use of WBV are ambiguous about the results. Therefore, an international group of scientists aimed to create an empirical basis for reporting the results of research on the effects of WBV on the human body. The proper reporting should increase comparative values ​​between studies, accelerating the development of appropriate treatment programs.

The high final consensus among experts (94.6%) included a list of 40 items regarding guidelines for conducting research on WBV. It is so recommended to report:

• Specification of the vibrations type, amplitude (mm), frequency (Hz) and how these parameters are measured.
• Does the device vibrate horizontally, vertically, sideways, or other way; what is the shape of the wave. The manufacturer’s name, device specification and production type should be provided.
• What posture or body position do the participants take during the vibration. Number of sessions where WBV was used. Rest time between sessions. Analysis of the examined features in follow-ups in order to determine possible permanent effects of WBV.
• Whether, how and how long did the participants warm up to WBV (e.g. stretching, muscle warming up).

Prepared on the basis of:

Towards reporting guidelines of research using whole-body vibration as training or treatment regimen in human subjects – A Delphi consensus study. Wuestefeld A, Fuermaier ABM, Bernardo-Filho M et al. PLoS One. 2020 Jul 22;15(7):e0235905.

Test procedure

The Delphi method was used to extract recommendations for WBV research conducting guidelines from experts. During 3 rounds of filling out online questionnaires, an expert panel consisting of scientists from 17 countries (average experience in studying the effects of WBV was 19.4 years) analyzed the details of the proposed research protocols.

Results

The final consensus among experts (94.6%) included a list of 40 items regarding guidelines for conducting research on WBV. These items were included in 4 categories plus an additional category was created. Several items from each category are provided below, keeping the original numbering for order.

Vibration information

1. Type of vibration (synchronous, side-alternating, other).

3. Amplitude (in mm).

4. Frequency (in Hz).

6. Whether the frequency is constant or variable.

8. How vibration parameters are measured.

9. Is the vibration delivered with a fast (immediate) attack or it rises slowly to the target value.

14. The vibration parameters are to be measured with

(…)

3D accelerometers placed on the vibration platform, as well as on the participant.

Device information

15. Does the device vibrate horizontally, vertically, sideways, what is the waveform.

17. Manufacturer, device specifications and type of production.

Information about vibration delivery

19. What posture or body position do the participants take during the vibration.

21. Number of WBV sessions.

22. Rest time between WBV sessions.

28. Exactly what tools and aids were used during WBV.

31. Analysis of the examined features in follow-ups procedures in order to identify possible permanent vibration effects.

Information about participants

35. Height and weight of participants.

36. Participants’ leg covering (shoes, socks, barefoot) during WBV – detailed description.

37. Subjective experiences of participants before, during and after WBV.

38. Fitness and level of activity of the participants.

39. Whether, how and how long did the participants warm up to WBV (stretching, muscle warming up).

Optional items

4. What is the accuracy of the vibration parameters.

6. How does the subject’s weight affect the vibration parameters (compare the measurement with and without the subject on the platform).

7. Exposure intensity (in m/s ^2 RMS).

8. Always measure vibration parameters, even when using the manufacturer’s settings.

10. SEMG (surface electromyography) to evaluate and record electrical signals produced by muscle activity.

18. How is the neck and head vibrations damping ensured.

Comment

WBV carries a great potential in physical therapy, significantly expanding this field of medicine.

The presented study provides important results that can serve as a substantive basis for the design of WBV studies in humans to improve the quality of such studies, improve comparability of results between research centers and thus facilitate the further development of WBV therapy.

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