Effects of whole-body vibration in horizontal position on bone, quality of life, and balance in postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Objectives: The present study aimed to analyze the effect of high-frequency, low-magnitude whole-body vibration (WBV) therapy in horizontal position on bone, quality of life, pain, and balance in postmenopausal women.

Patients and methods: Sixty postmenopausal women were included in this prospective, randomized controlled study between May 2015 to September 2015. The patients were randomized into three groups, with 20 participants in each group: (i) WBV + infrared group, (ii) infrared group, and (iii) control group. Bone mineral density of the lumbar and femoral regions of all the patients was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. In addition, osteocalcin and hydroxyproline values were measured. Quality of life was assessed using the Short Form-36, pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale, and balance was assessed based on the participants' performance in the Berg balance test.

Results: Seven patients (two from the vibration + infrared group and five from the infrared group) could not continue the study, and the analyses were conducted with the remaining 53 patients (mean age: 56.9±5.1 years; range, 45 to 65 years). At the end of a three-month treatment period, no statistically significant difference was found in bone mineral density, bone turnover markers, pain, and quality of life of the patients in all three groups compared to the pretreatment values. Berg balance test results showed a statistically significant increase after treatment in all three groups.

Conclusion: High-frequency, low-magnitude WBV performed under supervision in postmenopausal women was not found to be effective in improving bone, quality of life, pain, and balance. Future studies for determining effective vibration protocols having a longer duration and higher frequency of sessions are warranted.