The effect of whole body vibration on proprioception and motor functions in moderate Parkinson’s disease

The aim of the presented research by Taiwanese scientists was to analyze the effect of short-term vibration therapy in the form of whole-body vibration (WBV) on proprioception and motor functions in people with moderate Parkinson’s disease (PD).

• Both after WBV and conventional therapy, improvement in motor functions was achieved in patients with moderate PD.

Prepared on the basis of:

The Effect of Whole-Body Vibration on Proprioception and Motor Function for Individuals with Moderate Parkinson Disease: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. Li KY, Cho YJ, Chen RS. Occup Ther Int. 2021 Dec 17;2021:9441366

Study population

32 participants (18 men and 11 women) aged 50 to 65 years with moderate PD meeting appropriate criteria were enrolled in the study.

Test procedure

Study participants were randomized to the WBV group (n = 16 initially, but 13 completed the study) or to the conventional therapy group (n = 16). Both vibrotherapy and conventional therapy were administered twice in short sessions, 2 months apart. A 10-minute balance and mobility training was used in conventional therapy sessions, while five one-minute WBV series were used during vibrotherapy sessions, separated by a one-minute rest.

Proprioceptive sensitivity of the upper limb, sense of the position of the knee joint, Unified Parkinson’s disease rating scale: motor section (UPDRS-motor), functional reach test (FRT) and the timed up and go (TUG) test were analyzed for all participants. All analyzes were performed before and immediately after each session. However, during the first session, only some of the tests were analyzed, complementing the study with the remaining tests in the second session.

Use of vibration in the study

Vibration stimuli (WBV, frequency 6 Hz, amplitude 3 mm) were provided by a platform on which the participants stood motionless (head facing forward, slightly bent knees, feet shoulder-width apart, hands on safety rails).

Results

All participants in the study, both after conventional therapy and after WBV, achieved improvement in motor function, with no statistically significant differences between conventional therapy and WBV.

Comment

The beneficial effect on the motor functions of patients with moderate PD, induced by a single administration of short-term WBV, both the first time and 2 months later, was neither greater nor lower than that of conventional therapy. WBV should therefore be considered when planning a passive and safe intervention as a form of alternative treatment, especially in people with mobility impairments or balance disorders.

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