title: Effects of controlled whole-body vibration training in improving fall risk factors among individuals with multiple sclerosis: A pilot study.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to systematically examine the effect of an 8-week controlled whole-body vibration training on improving fall risk factors and the bone mineral density among people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).
  
  
  
  This study adopted a single group pre-test-post-test design. Twenty-five PwMS (50.3 years SD 14.1) received vibration training on a side-alternating vibration platform. Each training session was repeated three times every week for 8 weeks. Prior to and following the 8-week training course, a battery of fall risk factors were evaluated: the body balance, functional mobility, muscle strength, range of motion, and fear of falling. Bone density at both calcanei was also assessed.
  
  
  
  Twenty-two participants completed the study. Compared with pre-test, almost all fall risk factors and the bone density measurement were significantly improved at post-test, with moderate to large effect sizes varying between 0.571 and 1.007.
  
  
  
  The 8-week vibration training was well accepted by PwMS and improved their fall risk factors. The important findings of this study were that vibration training may increase the range of motion of ankle joints on the sagittal plane, lower the fear of falling, and improve bone density. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION An 8-week vibration training course could be well-accepted by people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Vibration training improves the risk factors of falls in people living with MS. Vibration training could be a promising rehabilitation intervention in individuals with MS.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Kinesiology , University of Texas at El Paso , El Paso , TX , USA.
authors.forename: Feng
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-7744-7626
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: b School of Rehabilitation Therapy , Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University , Kingston , Canada.
authors.forename: Marcia
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1774-4810
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Finlayson
authors.affiliation: c Mellen Center for MS Treatment and Research, Neurological Institute, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation , Cleveland , OH , USA.
authors.forename: Francois
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4784-9418
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bethoux
authors.affiliation: d Department of Mathematical Sciences , University of Texas at El Paso , El Paso , TX , USA.
authors.forename: Xiaogang
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-9642-9412
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Su
authors.affiliation: e Department of Rehabilitation Sciences , University of Texas at El Paso , El Paso , TX , USA.
authors.forename: Loretta
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dillon
authors.affiliation: f Private Neurologist , El Paso , TX , USA.
authors.forename: Hector M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Maldonado
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D014732:Vibration / Q000627:therapeutic use*
keywords: Fall risk factors; bone density; fear of falling; range of motion; side-alternating vibration; strength