title: Effects of focal vibration on bone mineral density and motor performance of postmenopausal osteoporotic women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This randomized double blind controlled study is aimed at determining the effect of repeated vibratory stimuli focally applied to the contracted quadriceps muscles (repeated muscle vibration=rMV) on bone mineral density, leg power and balance of postmenopausal osteoporotic women.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study has been conducted on 40 voluntary postmenopausal osteoporotic women, randomised at 2 groups for rMV treatment and for control. The treatment group underwent rMV (100Hz, 300-500 μm; three applications per day, each lasting 10-minutes, for 3 consecutive days) applied to voluntary contracted quadriceps (VC=vibrated and contracted group). The control group, received a sham stimulation on contracted quadriceps (NV=non vibrated group). Bone mineral density T-score of proximal femur of the participants, was evaluated in two weeks before and 360 days after intervention; body balance and explosive leg power were measured 1 day before, 30 days and 360 days after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  VC group T-score at one year didn't change significantly relative to baseline values (pretreatment: -2.61±0.11, post-treatment -2.62±0.13); conversely in NV subjects T-score decreased significantly from -2.64 ± 0.15 SD down to -2.99 ± 0.28 SD. A significant improvement of balance and explosive leg power was observed only in VC group at 30 and 360 days after the intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that rMV is a safe, short-lasting and non-invasive treatment that can significantly and persistently improve muscle performance and can effectively counteract progressive demineralisation in postmenopausal and osteoporotic women.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Human Physiology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy - fabiomassimobotti@gmail.com.
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Brunetti
authors: F M
authors: FM
authors: Botti
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Brunetti
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Biscarini
authors: A M
authors: AM
authors: Scarponi
authors: G M
authors: GM
authors: Filippi
authors: V E
authors: VE
authors: Pettorossi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D014732:Vibration / Q000627:therapeutic use*