Whole-body vibration shows promise in multiple sclerosis

Patients with multiple sclerosis can benefit from a 6-week regimen of whole-body vibration (WBV), which can improve their fine motor accuracy, functional mobility, and quality of life, reports a recent study.

Researchers conducted a longitudinal analysis of 15 patients (mean age 53 years, 11 women) with advanced multiple sclerosis. Motor function and quality of life were assessed before (t0) and after (t1) a 6-week control period, as well as after 6 weeks of WBV (t2). WBV training was conducted using a side-alternating sinusoidal WBV platform.

Active range of motion (aROM) did not significantly change after WBV training both in the stronger (p=0.26) and weaker (p=0.10) leg; however, aROM was significantly worse after t1, dropping by 10 percent (p=0.06) in the stronger leg and by 14 percent (p=0.03) in the weaker leg. The difference was statistically significant in favour of WBV (p=0.02).

Similarly, motor accuracy in the stronger leg during dorsal flexion was significantly better after WBV (p=0.01), resulting in a statistically significant benefit relative to the no-intervention control (p=0.04). At t1, in the absence of WBV, plantar flexion motor accuracy significantly deteriorated (p=0.01).

In addition, participants reported significant improvements in functional mobility at the preferred turn (p=0.04) and quality of life (p=0.05) after WBV.

“The results point towards an interception of degenerating mono-articular mobility and improvement of accuracy in the ankle joint. The motor effects after WBV are in line with enhanced perception of quality of life after 6 weeks which is why WBV could be a stimulus to enable greater overall autonomy in MS patients,” the researchers said.