title: Comparing the effects of whole-body vibration to standard exercise in ambulatory people with Multiple Sclerosis: a randomised controlled feasibility study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed firstly to investigate the feasibility of the study protocol and outcome measures, secondly to obtain data in order to inform the power calculations for a larger randomised controlled trial, and finally to investigate if whole-body vibration (WBV) is more effective than the same duration and intensity of standard exercises (EXE) in people with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomised controlled feasibility study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outpatient MS centre.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty seven PwMS (age mean (SD) 48.1 (11.2)) with minimal gait impairments.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve weeks of WBV or standard EXE, three times weekly.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were measured with isokinetic muscle strength, vibration threshold, Timed Up and Go test (TUG), Mini-BESTest (MBT), 6 Minute Walk test (6MWT), Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale 29 (MSIS 29), Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) and Verbal Analogue scale for sensation (VAS) pre and post 12 week intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  WBV intervention was found feasible with low drop-out rate (11.1%) and high compliance (90%). Data suggest that a sample of 52 in each group would be sufficient to detect a moderate effect size, with 80% power and 5% significance for 6 minute walk test. Large effect sizes in favour of standard exercise were found for vibration threshold at 5th metatarsophalangeal joint and heel (P=0.014, r= 0.5 and P=0.005, r=0.56 respectively). No between group differences were found for muscle strength, balance or gait (P>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data suggest that the protocol is feasible, there were no adverse effects. A trial including 120 people would be needed to detect an effect on walking endurance.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Therapies Department, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland, Galway, Ireland marcin.ucho@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Marcin Kacper
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Uszynski
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematics & Statistics, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Purtill
authors.affiliation: Physical Education & Sport Sciences Department, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Donnelly
authors.affiliation: Clinical Therapies Department, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Coote
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D004856:Postural Balance; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014732:Vibration
keywords: Multiple Sclerosis; exercise; mobility; whole-body vibration