Effect of whole body vibration exercise on muscle strength and proprioception in females with knee osteoarthritis

Trans, T.; Aaboe, J.; Henriksen, M.; Christensen, R.; Bliddal, H.; Lund, H.

doi:10.1016/j.knee.2008.11.014

« Previous Next »The Knee
Volume 16, Issue 4 , Pages 256-261, August 2009

Effect of whole body vibration exercise on muscle strength and proprioception in females with knee osteoarthritis

T. Trans
- Clinical Motor Function Laboratory, The Parker Institute, Frederiksberg Hospital, Denmark
J. Aaboe
- Clinical Motor Function Laboratory, The Parker Institute, Frederiksberg Hospital, Denmark
M. Henriksen
- Clinical Motor Function Laboratory, The Parker Institute, Frederiksberg Hospital, Denmark
R. Christensen
- Clinical Motor Function Laboratory, The Parker Institute, Frederiksberg Hospital, Denmark
H. Bliddal
- Clinical Motor Function Laboratory, The Parker Institute, Frederiksberg Hospital, Denmark
- Corresponding author. The Parker Institute, Frederiksberg Hospital, Denmark. Tel.: +45 38 16 41 55.
H. Lund
- Research Initiative for Physical Therapy, Institute of Sports Science and Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark

Received 25 June 2008; received in revised form 18 November 2008; accepted 19 November 2008. published online 16 January 2009.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of whole body vibration (WBV) exercise on muscle strength and proprioception in female patients with osteoarthritis in the knee (knee-OA). A single blinded, randomised, controlled trial was performed in an outpatient clinic on 52 female patients diagnosed with knee-OA (mean age 60.4 years±9.6). They were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups: 1. WBV-exercise on a stable platform (VibM; n=17 (mean age, 61.5±9.2)), WBV-exercise on a balance board (VibF; n=18 (mean age, 58.7±11.0)), or control group (Con; n=18 (mean age, 61.1±8.5)).

The WBV groups trained twice a week for 8 weeks, with a progressively increasing intensity. The WBV groups performed unloaded static WBV exercise.

The following were measured: knee muscle strength (extension/flexion) and proprioception (threshold for detection of passive movement (TDPM)). Self-reported disease status was measured using WOMAC.

It was found that muscle strength increased significantly (p<0.001) in VibM compared to Con. Isometric knee-extension significantly increased (p=0.021) in VibM compared to Con. TDPM was significantly improved (p=0.033) in VibF compared to Con, while there was a tendency (p=0.051) for VibM to perform better compared to Con. There were no effects in the self-reported disease status measures.

This study showed that the WBV-exercise regime on a stable platform (VibM) yielded increased muscle strength, while the WBV-exercise on a balance board (VibF) showed improved TDPM. The WBV-exercise is a time-saving and safe method for rehabilitation of women with knee-OA.

Keywords: Osteoarthritis, Whole body vibration, Muscle strength, Proprioception, Knee