Effects of whole-body vibration training on physical function in patients with multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to test the hypothesis that a three-week whole body vibration (WBV) training in addition to a standard rehabilitation program improves walking ability in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). PATIENTS AND METHOD Sixty patients with definite MS were randomly allocated to the intervention or control group. Training sessions were performed three times per week for three weeks. Patients adopted a moderate squat position on a vibration platform. The training sessions comprised series of 3 × 60-sec exercise sets with increasing amplitude between sessions from 1 to 2 mm. During the exercise series, the vibration platform was turned on for the intervention group and switched off for the control group. A mixed factor ANOVA was used to compare sit to stand test, timed up and go test, 10-meter walk test, and 6-min walk test data between patient groups and between baseline and follow-up. RESULTS All outcome measures improved from baseline to follow-up (P < 0.001). The 6-minute walk test showed significantly greater improvements from baseline to follow-up for the intervention than for the control group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Determinants of walking ability in patients with MS that are specific to walking endurance tasks are most affected by vibration training designed to improve strength endurance.