3-week whole body vibration does not improve gait function in mildly affected multiple sclerosis patients-a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the effects of whole body vibration (WBV) training on gait function in persons with mild multiple sclerosis (MS).
DESIGN:
A randomized controlled trial.
SUBJECTS:
18 patients with MS were assigned randomly to WBV (intervention group) or to placebo WBV.
METHODS:
Both groups performed a 3-week training period under static conditions on a vibration platform. In the placebo group, the vibration platform was covered and therefore vibrations could not operate. Gait function (gait velocity, stride length, double support phase, single-step variability left and right) was assessed at baseline, after 3-weeks of WBV intervention or sham WBV, 4-weeks after baseline, and 5-weeks after baseline using a mobile plantar food pressure system and the "Timed Up and Go" test under four different gait conditions (comfortable overground gait, comfortable gait on treadmill, -20% comfortable gait velocity on treadmill and +20% comfortable gait velocity on treadmill).
RESULTS:
None of the outcome measures of gait function showed statistically significant alterations following 3-weeks of intervention/placebo WBV.
CONCLUSION:
The applied protocol of WBV does not show a meaningful improvement of gait function in mildly affected MS patients.
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
KEYWORDS:
Biomechanical analysis; Gait analysis; Multiple sclerosis; Physical therapy; Spatio-temporal parameters; Whole body vibration
PMID: 25439165