Vibration exercise has been touted as a potential cure for many ills, including bone-density loss associated with osteoporosis. However, the amount of exposure and type of exposure both require careful analysis before considering whole body vibration, WBV, as a cure for anything. In addition, while WBV may provide promising results, vibration is also linked to significant medical problems.
Potential
WBV may increase bone mineral density in the elderly, according to a September 2005 analysis published in the "British Journal of Sports Medicine." The authors suggest that this is true because WBV doesn't require specialized training and also requires little to no effort on the part of the recipient. However, the authors note that resistance training is superior, and only those incapacitated, such as stroke patients, would show benefit from WBV.
Warning
Vibration, which is often linked to industrial exposure, may lead to the loss of ability to maintain proper posture. In addition, WBV is linked to vision issues and changes in the electrical impulses in the brain. Frequent WBV is also tied to issues with motor control as well as fine motor control. For example, those who work with power tools may lose fine control of their hands.
Time Frame
However, clinical studies of WBV used to help resolve osteoporosis uses a different amount of exposure, which suggests that less is truly more in this situation. In an April 2005 study published in "Aging and Clinical Experimental Research," participants used a WBV machine for four minutes and only once a week in addition to regular exercise. These participants saw an increase in bone mineral density, but no more so than the group that exercised and did not use WBV. Both groups also used the medication alendronate. However, the WBV group experienced significantly reduced lower back pain, leading the authors of the study to suggest that the "machine appears to be useful in reducing chronic back pain, probably by relaxing the back muscles in post-menopausal osteoporotic women treated with alendronate."
Considerations
While the value of WBV for treating osteoporosis warrants further study, discuss its potential benefits with your healthcare provider. She may direct you to a low intensity, minimal time exposure, whole-body device. She may also suggest you use strength training without WBV if you are ambulatory and not in need of rehabilitation. Because WBV is still under study, it's not clear that its value is any more significant than regular exercise.
References
- "British Journal of Sports Medicine"; Whole Body Vibration Exercise: Are Vibrations Good for You?; Cardinale, et al.; September 2005
- The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH); Chapter 26: Vibration; Robert Soule
- "Aging and Clinical Experimental Research"; Effect of Whole-body Vibration Exercise on Lumbar Bone Mineral Density, Bone Turnover, and Chronic Back Pain in Post-menopausal Osteoporotic Women Treated with Alendronate; Iwamoto, et al; April 2005
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