Whole-body vibration and benefits for people with osteoarthritis: A systematic review

Whole body vibration (WBV) can be an important tool to treat patients with osteoarthritis (OA). The purpose of this study was to systematically review published research concerning the use of WBV in people with OA. In PubMed and Scopus, the number of publications (NP) is respectively to the keywords arthrosis, 289,586 and 10,569, osteoarthrosis, 299,158 and 3,952, arthritis, 251,453 and 236,849 and osteoarthritis, 56,323 and 80,008. Putting together the information found in the analyzed 4 papers, the numbers of subjects were ranging from 15 to 52 and frequencies ranging from 24 to 40 Hz. Self-report of the status of disease (WOMAC) was used in 2 papers, while the pain levels were evaluated by the visual analog scale (VAS) in 2 papers. Different tests were used in these studies, as (i) TUG, (ii) step test, (iii) 20-meter walk test, (iv) timed get up and go test (TGUG), (v) chair stand test (CST), (vi) 6-minute walk test (6MWT), (vii) knee muscle strength (extension/flexion) and (viii) proprioception (threshold for detection of passive movement (TDPM) to evaluate the effects promoted by the exercises due to the WBV. In conclusion, these studies indicate that the WBV could bring some benefits to patients with OA.