Whole-body vibration exercise for low back pain: A meta-analysis protocol of randomized controlled trial

Investigating the effect of hot and cold polyurethane foam on reducing whole body vibration of forklift operators

BACKGROUND

Vibration is one of the harmful factors for forklift drivers. The use of non- standard seats and not paying attention to how the seats are maintained can be affected by the amount of vibration transmitted to the person.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates the amount of vibration transmitted from the forklift and the effect of different types of polyurethane foam in reducing the vibration transmitted from the forklift seat.

METHODS

This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 38 forklifts in 4 diesel models with the same weight class. The amount of vibration transmitted from forklift seats according to ISO2631 standard, taking into account the effect of various factors such as foam type (hot and cold), thickness (6-12 cm), load and year Function was measured. The amount of vibration caused by the forklift on the seat and under the seat was evaluated using ISO7096 standard.

RESULTS

The average total vibration of the whole body in all foams in no-load mode is more than with load. The transmission vibration of cold polyurethane foam is less than that of hot polyurethane foam. With increasing thickness, the efficiency of cold polyurethane foam increases by 12 cm and in the loaded state 40.63% and in the unloaded state 49.58% in reducing the vibration transmitted to drivers.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study show that cold foam has better effectiveness and efficiency than hot polyurethane foam. Also, the thicker the foam, the less vibration is transmitted to the driver.

Vibration therapy to improve pain and function in patients with chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Vibration therapy (VT), a treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, has been developed for clinical applications in the past decade. However, its effect on relieving chronic low back pain (CLBP) and improving lumbar function is still illusive, lacking sufficient evidence-based medical data.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of vibration therapy on pain and function in people with CLBP.

METHODS

PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang Date, VIP, and CBM were applied to search for clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on vibration therapy for people with CLBP. The electronic databases were searched from the establishment of the database until July 1, 2023. Two researchers assessed the quality of the included studies and extracted data. The outcome indicators included the pain intensity index, Oswestry dysfunction index (ODI) score, and Roland-Morris dysfunction questionnaire (RMDQ) score. GRADE was used to evaluate the certainty of evidence of each outcome indicator. The meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3 software.

RESULTS

Fourteen papers met the inclusion criteria with 860 subjects (VT group n = 432 and control group n = 428). VT for patients with CLBP reduced the pain intensity index [SMD = - 0.71, 95% CI (- 1.02, - 0.39), I2 = 76%, P < 0.0001], the ODI score value [MD = - 4.24, 95% CI (- 8.10, - 0.38), I2 = 88%, P = 0.03], and the RMDQ score value [MD = - 2.21, 95% CI (- 3.41, - 1.01), I2 = 0%, P = 0.0003]. Subgroup analysis displayed that the pain intensity index was lower in the whole-body vibration (WBV) group than in the control group [SMD = - 0.49, 95% CI (- 0.79, - 0.19), I2 = 58%, P = 0.001] and the local vibration (LV) group [SMD = - 1.07, 95% CI (- 1.60, - 0.53), I2 = 76%, P < 0.0001]. The ODI scores in the WBV group were lower than those in the control group [MD = - 3.30, 95% CI (- 5.76, - 0.83), I2 = 36%, P = 0.009]. There was no statistically significant difference in ODI scores between the LV group and the control group [MD = - 5.78, 95% CI (- 16.23, 4.66), I2 = 97%, P = 0.28].

CONCLUSION

The data from this study suggest that VT can reduce pain and improve lumbar function in patients with CLBP. However, we still need to carefully interpret the results of this study, as the certainty of evidence was low, and the clinical relevance of the results is questionable. Further RCTs are needed in the future to ascertain this.

Whole-body vibration provides additional benefits to patients with patellofemoral pain: A protocol for systematic review and meta analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of the whole-body vibration (WBV) training for patients with patellofemoral pain (PFP) remains controversial. For this reason, we applied a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the efficacy of WBV training in patients with PFP.

METHODS

Relevant studies found within PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science were examined from January 1, 1990 to December 30, 2021. Two evaluators independently screened the literatures, extracted relevant data and assessed the methodological quality of respective studies. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.4 software.

RESULTS

A total of 5 RCTs with 174 patients were included. When comparing with exercise alone, WBV training in combination with exercise provided better reduction of pain assessed by visual analogue scale score (P = .04). There were no differences regarding changes of Kujala patellofemoral score, the physical component summary score for physical health, and the mental component summary score for mental health (P = .08, 0.76, 0.65 respectively) between patients with WBV training and those without WBV training.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to the sole performance of exercise, WBV training in combination with exercise showed better pain reduction, but no superior improvement in function and on quality of life.

Physical Exercise with or without Whole-Body Vibration in Breast Cancer Patients Suffering from Aromatase Inhibitor—Induced Musculoskeletal Symptoms: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Study

In this study, we aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of physical exercise, with or without whole-body vibration (WBV), in patients with aromatase inhibitor-induced musculoskeletal symptoms (AIMSS). Eligible patients were adults (≥18 years) with a history of breast cancer and current AIMSS. Enrolled patients (n = 22) were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive physical exercise combined with WBV or sham WBV for 4 weeks. The primary endpoint was pain intensity measured by numerical pain rating scale (NPRS). The secondary endpoints were muscle strength, physical function, physical performance, and quality of life. The WBV group (mean age: 51.73 ± 10.73 years; body mass index (BMI): 25.56 ± 5.17 kg/m2) showed a statistically significant pain reduction (NPRS: 6.82 ± 1.17 vs. 5.73 ± 1.01; p = 0.031), whereas patients in the sham WBV group (mean age: 58.55 ± 9.71 years; BMI: 27.31 ± 3.84 kg/m2), did not reach statistical significance (NPRS: 6.91 ± 2.02 vs. 5.91 ± 2.51; p = 0.07). Concurrently, muscle strength, physical performance, and quality of life significantly improved in both groups, without significant differences between groups. No dropouts and no side effects were recorded. Both patients and the physical therapist reported a high level of satisfaction with the intervention. Our findings suggest that physical exercise and WBV combination might be a safe therapeutic option for improving the rehabilitative management of patients with AIMSS.

Artificial intelligence X-ray measurement technology of anatomical parameters related to lumbosacral stability

PURPOSE

To develop a deep learning-based model for measuring automatic lumbosacral anatomical parameters from lateral lumbar radiographs and compare its performance to that of attending-level radiologists.

METHODS

A total of 1791 lateral lumbar radiographs were collected through the PACS system and used to develop the deep learning-based model. Landmarks for the four used parameters, including the lumbosacral lordosis angle (LSLA), lumbosacral angle (LSA), sacral horizontal angle (SHA), and sacral inclination angle (SIA), were identified and automatically labeled by the model. At the same time, the measurement results were obtained through landmarks on the test set compared to manual measurements as the reference standard. Statistical analyses of the Percentage of Correct Key Points (PCK), intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), Pearson correlation coefficient, mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), and Bland-Altman plots were performed to evaluate the performance of the model.

RESULTS

The mean differences between the reference standard and the model for LSLA, LSA, SHA, and SIA, were 0.39°, 0.09°, 0.13°, and 0.12°, respectively. A strong correlation and consistency between the four parameters were found between the model and reference standard (ICC = 0.92-0.98, r = 0.92-0.97, MAE = 1.35-1.84, RMSE = 1.82-2.51), while with statistically significant difference for LSLA (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

The presented model revealed clinically equivalent measurements in terms of accuracy, while superior measurements were obtained in terms of cost-effectiveness, reliability, and reproducibility. The model may help clinicians improve their understanding and evaluation of lumbar diseases and LBP from a quantitative perspective in practical work. (ChiCTR2100048250).

Core and Whole Body Vibration Exercise Influences Muscle Sensitivity and Posture during a Military Foot March

Military foot marches account for 17-22% of Army musculoskeletal injuries (MSI), with low back pain (LBP) being a common complaint. Core-exercise and whole-body vibration (WBV) have been shown to decrease LBP in patients with chronic low back MSI. This study investigated if WBV and/or core-exercise influenced LBP or posture associated with a military ruck march. A randomized control trial with three groups: (1) WBV and core-exercise (WBVEx); (2) core-exercise alone (Ex); and (3) control evaluated the effects of core-exercise and WBV on LBP during/after a two 8 K foot marches with a 35 lb rucksack. The intervention groups completed three weeks of core-exercise training with/without WBV. Outcome measurements included visual analog scale (VAS), algometer, posture and electromyography (EMG). LBP, pressure threshold, and posture were elevated throughout the foot march regardless of group. LBP remained elevated for 48 h post foot march (p = 0.044). WBVEx and Ex did not have a significant effect on LBP. WBVEx and Ex both decreased muscle sensitivity and increased trunk flexion (p < 0.001) during the second foot march (FM2). The 8 K foot marches significantly increased LBP. Core-exercise training with/without WBV decreases low back muscle sensitivity. WBV and core-exercise increases trunk flexion which may help improve performance and may influence LBP.

Whole-body vibration mediates mechanical hypersensitivity through Aβ-fiber and C-fiber thermal sensation in a chronic pain model

Whole-body vibration (WBV), which is widely used as a type of exercise, involves the use of vibratory stimuli and it is used for rehabilitation and sports performance programmes. This study aimed to investigate the effect of WBV treatment in a chronic pain model after 10 WBV sessions. An animal model (chronic pain) was applied in 60 male Wistar rats (±180 g, 12 weeks old) and the animals were treated with low intensity exercise (treadmill), WBV (vibrating platform), and a combined treatment involving both. The controls on the platform were set to a frequency of 42 Hz with 2 mm peak-to-peak displacement, g ≈ 7, in a spiral mode. Before and after the vibration exposure, sensitivity was determined. Aβ-fibers-mediated mechanical sensitivity thresholds (touch-pressure) were measured using a pressure meter. C-fibers-mediated thermal perception thresholds (hot pain) were measured with a hot plate. After each session, WBV influenced the discharge of skin touch-pressure receptors, reducing mechanical sensitivity in the WBV groups (P < 0.05). Comparing the conditions "before vs. after", thermal perception thresholds (hot pain) started to decrease significantly after the third WBV session (P < 0.05). WBV decreases mechanical hyperalgesia after all sessions and thermal sensitivity after the third session with the use of WBV.