The feasibility of comparing whole body vibration intervention to the same duration and dose of exercise for people with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility of Whole Body Vibration (WBV) intervention when compared to the same duration and dose of exercise (EXS) for people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). METHODS: Seventeen people with MS (mean age 48.76 ± 2.7) with minimal gait impairments were randomly allocated to WBV (n = 8) or EXS (n = 9). Participants were measured before and after 8 weeks of intervention with muscle power, modified Nottingham Sensory Assessment, Timed Up and Go test (TUG), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), 6 Minute Walk test (6MWT), Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale 29 (MSIS 29), and Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS). RESULTS: WBV group had statistically significant improvements in 6MWT (mean change 31.48, SD 28.2, p = 0.041) and BBS (median change 8, IQR 12, p = 0.027) that were not seen in the EXS group. WBV group improved significantly more on the BBS (p = 0.003) than the EXS group (median change 0, IQR 1). EXS group had a significant reduction in fatigue (mean change 12.33, SD 11.47, p = 0.012) that was not seen in the WBV group. CONCLUSIONS: The data may suggest a positive improvement due to WBV that, other than for BBS, is not significantly greater than that due to the same duration and dose of exercise. WBV plus exercise training is feasible and may have positive effects, however larger studies are required to establish whether it is more effective than or can augment traditional exercise.