Research: Osteoporosis
[Research] Vibration Therapy & Osteoporosis
GE DEXA Scanner
Scientific research has been gaining momentum on using vibration therapy to treat osteoporosis. Bone mineral density (BMD) can be measured using an X-ray imaging method called DEXA scan, making quantitative results available for research trials.
Many clinical trials were conducted using vibration therapy to treat osteoporosis. Due to limited funding, the clinical trials were not adequately designed and implemented. Because of various trial designs, different test parameter selections, patient recruitment and retention issues, the clinical trials did not come out with consistent results.
Test parameters include vibration frequency, amplitude, exercise pose and session time, etc. Different seletion of paramenters can produce different results.
DEXA scan test result is reported using T-scores. If T-score is below -1.0, it indicates the bone density is lower than normal range, a sign of osteoporosis.
Positive results of bone density improvement related to vibration therapy are observed and approved in the clinical trials. For reliable results, adequately designed larger sample size and longer duration clinical trials are necessary.
NASA has been providing funding to support research on using vibration intervention to treat bone loss in astronauts. However, so far no vibration device or treatment modality has been approved by NASA.
Internet search brings about some contents that a Russian scientist used vibration plate for training astronauts before and after their space travels, in order to cope with muscle atrophy and bone loss caused in microgravity environment. However, there is no official report or research literature about these experiments available online. The type of vibration equipment, movement pattern, parameters and the exercise poses are unknown.
Below is a selected list of literature review projects and clinical trials that represent the current research level on vibration therapy for treating osteoporosis.
- Whole-body vibration exercise in postmenopausal osteoporosis
- By Magdalena Weber-Rajek | PubMed
- Immediate Effect Of Whole-Body Vibration And Walk in Osteoporosis
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco | ClinicalTrials.gov
- Whole-body vibration therapy for osteoporosis: state of the science
- Andrea Wysocki | PubMed.gov
- Whole Body Vibration Therapy for Osteoporosis and Bone Density
- 11/15/2021, Margaret Martin
- The effect of whole-body vibration exercise on postmenopausal women with osteoporosis
- 05/07/2021, Cao, Shengqin | Medicine
- Effect of 12 Months of Whole-Body Vibration Therapy on Bone Density and Structure in Postmenopausal Women
- 11/15/21011, Lubomira Slatkovska, PhD | Annals of Intrnal Medicine
- Whole-body vibration training and bone health in postmenopausal women A systematic review and meta-analysis
- Marín-Cascales, Elena PhD | Medicine
- Update on vibration therapy for bone health
- 10/01/2011, Harward Health Publishing
- Is Vibration Training Good for Your Bones?
- Jorge Marin-Puyalto | PubMed.gov
- WHOLE-BODY VIBRATION DEVICES GIVE NO BONE DENSITY BOOST
- 2011, Michigan State University
- Effects of Whole-Body Vibration Training Combined With Cyclic Hypoxia on Bone Mineral Density in Elderly People
- 08/30.2019, Marta Camacho-Cardenosa | Frontiers
- Vibration Therapy to Prevent Bone Loss and Falls: Mechanisms and Efficacy
- Belinda R Beck | PubMed.gov
- Effect of 6-month whole body vibration training on hip density, muscle strength, and postural control in postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled pilot study
- Sabine M P Verschueren | PubMed.gov