Approximately 400,000 people in the United States suffer from multiple sclerosis, a disease of the spinal cord, brain and nervous system that affects motor control, vision, cognitive function and emotions. There is no cure for multiple sclerosis, though various drug and physical therapies may help to decrease symptoms. Researchers have experimented with whole body vibration and exercise to help multiple sclerosis patients.
Whole Body Vibration
Research in whole body vibration seeks to test the effect of being mechanically shaken. For instance, the University of Iowa's Virtual Soldier Research program tests the effect of riding for long periods in military equipment. This kind of vibration can cause headaches, body aches, back and neck problems. But researchers have theorized that these same vibrations might improve muscle strength.
Claims
Claims fill the internet about the ability of whole body vibration to strengthen muscles, improve stability, increase circulation and even regenerate damaged nerve cells. Some people claim whole body vibration gives the muscles the equivalent of a vigorous workout without the fatigue such exercise would otherwise cause the MS sufferer. However, many of these claims are exaggerated or unsupported by scientific research.
Research
In 2005, researchers at the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria, studied 12 multiple sclerosis patient. Half of them underwent a program of whole body vibration one minute at a time, with a one-minute break between vibration sessions, for a total of five vibration sessions, or five minutes of vibration. The subjects were tested 15 minutes after the vibration sessions, one week later and two weeks later. In sensory and mobility tests, test subjects showed improvement for one week after the vibration sessions. In 2009, researchers at the MS Therapy Centre in Glasgow did a slightly larger study, involving 16 people with MS. All the patients received whole body vibration, one group after exercise, the other before exercising. Subjects received vibration therapy three times a week for two weeks. This study found no statistically significant improvement due to vibration, though exercise appeared to help patients slightly.
Conclusions
Both the Vienna and Glasgow studies focused on small groups of patients who underwent whole body vibration for short periods of time. A longer study that followed more patients would offer more conclusive evidence as to the effectiveness or lack of effectiveness or whole body vibration on multiple sclerosis. The accepted treatment for multiple sclerosis includes a combination of drugs and physical therapy to reduce the severity of symptoms.
References
- Clinical Rehabilitation: Effects of Whole-Body Vibration in Patients With Mutiple Sclerosis --- A Pilot Study; O. Schuhfried, et. al.; December 2005
- Clinical Rehabilitation: Vibration Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis --- a Pilot Study Exploring Its Effects on Tone, Muscle Force, Sensation and Functional Performance; F. Schyns, et. al.; September 2009
- Cedars-Sinai: Multiple Sclerosis
- University of Iowa Virtual Soldier Research: Whole Body Vibration
