Effects of 3 Months of Controlled Whole Body Vibrations on the Risk of Falls Among Nursing Home Residents

Effects of 3 Months of Controlled Whole Body Vibrations With Low Exposure Period on the Risk of Falls Among Nursing Home Residents

Tiredness, lack of motivation and low compliance can be observed in nursing home residents during the practice of physical activity. Because exercises should not be too vigorous, whole body vibration could potentially be an effective alternative.

The objective of this randomized controlled trial is to assess the impact of 3-month training by whole body vibration on the risk of falls among nursing home residents.

Patients were randomized into two groups: the whole body vibration group which received 3 training sessions every week composed of 5 series of only 15 seconds of vibrations at 30 Hz intensity and a control group with normal daily life for the whole study period.

The impact of this training on the risk of falls was assessed blindly by three tests: the Tinetti Test, the Timed Up and Go test and a quantitative evaluation of a 10-second walk performed with a tri-axial accelerometer.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Resident of nursing home
• Able to move

Exclusion Criteria:

• weighing more than 150 kg
• having electronic implants (e.g. pacemaker, brain stimulators)
• having prosthetic hips or knees
• suffering from epilepsy, bleeding disorders, inflammatory abdominal disorders or at high risk of thromboembolism.