title: Whole body vibration improves cognition in healthy young adults.
abstract: This study investigated the acute effects of passive whole body vibration (WBV) on executive functions in healthy young adults. Participants (112 females, 21 males; age: 20.5±2.2 years) underwent six passive WBV sessions (frequency 30 Hz, amplitude approximately 0.5 mm) and six non-vibration control sessions of two minutes each while sitting on a chair mounted on a vibrating platform. A passive WBV session was alternated with a control session. Directly after each session, performance on the Stroop Color-Block Test (CBT), Stroop Color-Word Interference Test (CWIT), Stroop Difference Score (SDS) and Digit Span Backward task (DSBT) was measured. In half of the passive WBV and control sessions the test order was CBT-CWIT-DSBT, and DSBT-CBT-CWIT in the other half. Passive WBV improved CWIT (p = 0.009; effect size r = 0.20) and SDS (p = 0.034; r = 0.16) performance, but only when the CBT and CWIT preceded the DSBT. CBT and DSBT performance did not change. This study shows that two minutes passive WBV has positive acute effects on attention and inhibition in young adults, notwithstanding their high cognitive functioning which could have hampered improvement. This finding indicates the potential of passive WBV as a cognition-enhancing therapy worth further evaluation, especially in persons unable to perform active forms of exercise.
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Center for Human Movement Sciences, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: G Ruben H
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Regterschot
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Center for Human Movement Sciences, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marieke J G
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Van Heuvelen
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Center for Human Movement Sciences, Groningen, The Netherlands; Center of Behaviour and Neuroscience, Department of Molecular Neurobiology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Edzard B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Zeinstra
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Anselm B M
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Fuermaier
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Lara
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tucha
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Janneke
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Koerts
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tucha
authors.affiliation: Center of Behaviour and Neuroscience, Department of Molecular Neurobiology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Eddy A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Van Der Zee
mesh_terms: D003071:Cognition; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D014732:Vibration / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult