Whole body vibration improves the single-leg stance static balance in women with fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread pain. Fibromyalgia is associated with balance problems and increased fall frequency. Whole-body vibration therapy had been used for improve balance in special populations but not in fibromyalgia. The main objective of this study was to analyze the effects of 12 weeks of tilting whole-body vibration therapy on static balance in fibromyalgia patients.


METHODS
Women with FM were randomly and sequentially assigned to either the vibration group (N.=21) or the control group (N.=20) based on a randomly generated number table, and a code number was assigned to each participant. All participants received standard care that included medical care through the public health system (hospital and outpatient clinic, including primary care) and social support through the local fibromyalgia association. Participants in the exercise group received whole-body vibration therapy (12 weeks, 12.5 Hz frequency and 3 mm amplitude). Outcome measure was determined using postural stability indices (overall, anterior-posterior and medial-lateral) assessed by the Biodex Balance System in a single dominant limb stance.


RESULTS
Treatment effect after 12-weeks of tilting whole body vibration therapy were 57.1% on overall stability and 66.6% on anterior-posterior stability.


CONCLUSIONS
Tilting whole-body vibration therapy effectively improves static balance in patients with FM.
Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Extremadura, Caceres, Spain.
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Adsuar
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Del Pozo-Cruz
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Parraca
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Olivares
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Gusi
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D014732:Vibration / Q000627:therapeutic use*