title: Does vibration training reduce the fall risk profile of frail older people admitted to a rehabilitation facility? A randomised controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of Vibration Training (VT) on functional ability and falls risk among a group of frail older people admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation unit in a regional hospital in New Zealand.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized controlled trial of 56 participants (mean 82.01 years in the intervention group and 81.76 years in the control group). VT targeting lower limb muscles with a frequency 30-50 Hz occurred three times per week until discharge. Amplitude progressively increased from 2 to 5 mm to allow the programme to be individually tailored to the participant. The control group received usual care physiotherapy sessions. Outcome measures were: Physiological profile assessment (PPA); and Functional Independence measure (FIM) and Modified Falls Efficacy Scale (MFES).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a statistically significant difference observed between the two groups in terms of FIM score (F = 5.09, p = 0.03) and MFES (F = 3.52, p = 0.007) but no difference was observed in terms of PPA scores (F = 0.96, p = 0.36).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among older people admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation facility there may be some beneficial effect to the use of VT in conjunction with usual care physiotherapy in terms of improved functional ability. The study design and the small dosage of VT provided may have precluded any change in falls risk among participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vibration training (VT) may assist in reducing the risk of falling among at risk older people. Current pressures on health systems (ageing population, reduced hospital length of stay) necessitate the development of innovative strategies to maximise the rehabilitation potential of older people. Among older people admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation facility there may be some beneficial effect to the use of vibration training in conjunction with usual care physiotherapy in terms of improved functional ability.
authors.affiliation: a School of Nursing, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland , New Zealand.|b Institute of Healthy Ageing, Waikato District Health Board , Hamilton , New Zealand.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Parsons
authors.affiliation: a School of Nursing, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland , New Zealand.|b Institute of Healthy Ageing, Waikato District Health Board , Hamilton , New Zealand.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mathieson
authors.affiliation: a School of Nursing, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland , New Zealand.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jull
authors.affiliation: a School of Nursing, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland , New Zealand.|b Institute of Healthy Ageing, Waikato District Health Board , Hamilton , New Zealand.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Parsons
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D063868:Patient Outcome Assessment; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014732:Vibration / Q000627:therapeutic use*
keywords: Aged; inpatient; physical function; physiotherapy