Effects of Whole Body Vibration on Bone Health in Postmenopausal Women
Author Information
Author(s): Sarah Turner, Margaret Torode, Mike Climstein, Geraldine Naughton, David Greene, Michael K. Baker, Maria A. Fiatarone Singh
Primary Institution: The University of Sydney
Hypothesis
Low-frequency, low-magnitude vibration stimulus for 8 weeks would increase the bone formation marker, ALP, and decrease the bone resorption marker, NTx/Cr, in a dose-dependent relationship compared with a sham vibration exposure.
Conclusion
Low-frequency, low-magnitude vibration three times a week leads to a significant reduction in NTx/Cr, a marker of bone resorption, in postmenopausal women.
Supporting Evidence
- NTx/Cr was significantly reduced by 34.6% in the 3×/week vibration group compared to sham control.
- No significant effect on the bone formation marker ALP was observed.
- Compliance for the study was high, with 87.5% of participants completing the study.
Takeaway
This study found that standing on a vibrating platform three times a week can help reduce bone loss in older women.
Methodology
Participants were randomized into sham, 1×/week, or 3×/week vibration groups and underwent 20 minutes of vibration exposure for eight weeks.
Potential Biases
Potential confounding effects from participants taking bisphosphonates and hormone replacement therapy.
Limitations
The intervention period of eight weeks may not have been sufficient to observe larger effects on markers of bone metabolism.
Participant Demographics
Mean age of participants was 59.8 years, with a median of 7.3 years since menopause.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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