No effects of whole-body vibration training on muscle strength and gait performance in persons with late effects of polio: a pilot study

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and possible effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) training on muscle strength and gait performance in people with late effects of polio.

Design: A case-controlled pilot study with assessments before and after training.

Setting: A university hospital rehabilitation department.

Participants: People (N=5; 3 men, 2 women; mean age, 64+/-6.7y; range, 55-71y) with clinically and electrophysiologically verified late effects of polio.

Interventions: All participants underwent 10 sessions of supervised WBV training (standing with knees flexed 40 degrees -55 degrees up to 60 seconds per repetition and 10 repetitions per session twice weekly for 5 weeks).

Main outcome measures: Isokinetic and isometric knee muscle strength (dynamometer), and gait performance (Timed Up & Go, Comfortable Gait Speed, Fast Gait Speed, and six-minute walk tests).

Results: All participants completed the 5 weeks of WBV training, with no discernible discomfort. No significant changes in knee muscle strength or gait performance were found after the WBV training period.

Conclusions: This pilot study did not show any significant improvements in knee muscle strength and gait performance following a standard protocol of WBV training. Thus, the results do not lend support to WBV training for people with late effects of polio.