title: Feasibility and effects of applying stochastic resonance whole-body vibration on untrained elderly: a randomized crossover pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aging is associated with loss of balance and activity in daily life. It impacts postural control and increases the risk of falls. The current study was conducted to determine the feasibility and long-term impact of stochastic resonance whole-body vibration (SR-WBV) on static and dynamic balance and reaction time among elderly individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized crossover pilot study with blinding of the participants. Twenty elderly were divided into group A (SR-WBV 5 Hz, Noise 4/SR-WBV 1 Hz, Noise 1) or group B (SR-WBV 1 Hz, Noise 1/SR-WBV 5 Hz, Noise 1). Feasibility outcomes included recruitment, compliance and safety. Secondary outcomes were Semi-Tandem Stand (STS), Functional Reach Test (FRT), Expanded Timed Get Up-and-Go (ETGUG), walking under single (ST) & dual task (DT) conditions, hand and foot reaction time (RTH/RTF). Puri and Sen Rank-Order L Statistics were used to analyse carry-over effects. To analyse SR-WBV effects Wilcoxon signed-ranked tests were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With good recruitment rate (55%) and compliance (attrition 15%; adherence 85%) rates the intervention was deemed feasible. Three participants dropped out, two due to knee pain and one for personal reasons. ETGUG 0 to 2 m (p = 0.143; ES: 0.36) and ETGUG total time (p = 0.097; ES: 0.40) showed medium effect sizes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stochastic resonance training is feasible in untrained elderly resulting in good recruitment and compliance. Low volume SR-WBV exercises over 12 training sessions with 5 Hz, Noise 4 seems a sufficient stimulus to improve ETGUG total time. The stimulation did not elicit changes in other outcomes.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  This trial has been registered at the U.S. National Institutes of Health under ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01045746.
authors.affiliation: Bern University of Applied Sciences, Health, Bern, Switzerland. slavko.rogan@bfh.ch.|Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht, The Netherlands. slavko.rogan@bfh.ch.|Centre for Evidence Based Physiotherapy, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands. slavko.rogan@bfh.ch.
authors.forename: Slavko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rogan
authors.affiliation: Bern University of Applied Sciences, Health, Bern, Switzerland. lorenz.radlinger@bfh.ch.
authors.forename: Lorenz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Radlinger
authors.affiliation: HES-SO // University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland; Valais, Sion, Switzerland. roger.hilfiker@hevs.ch.
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hilfiker
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport Science, Wolfgang-Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany. schmidtbleicher@sport.uni-frankfurt.de.
authors.forename: Dietmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schmidtbleicher
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht, The Netherlands. ra.debie@maastrichtuniversity.nl.|Centre for Evidence Based Physiotherapy, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands. ra.debie@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
authors.forename: Rob A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: de Bie
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht, The Netherlands. eling.debruin@hest.ethz.ch.|Centre for Evidence Based Physiotherapy, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands. eling.debruin@hest.ethz.ch.|Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute of Human Movement Sciences and Sport, ETH Zurich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Str. 27, HIT J 31.2, CH-8093, Zurich, Switzerland. eling.debruin@hest.ethz.ch.
authors.forename: Eling D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: de Bruin
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D014732:Vibration / Q000627:therapeutic use*