Can applying whole body vibration protect against cardiovascular disease?
It is widely accepted that physical activity is an effective therapeutic strategy in preventing and inhibiting the development of cardiovascular diseases. Recently, in the context of rehabilitation of the elderly, attention has been drawn to a specific “substitute” of physical activity – vibrotherapy. Whole body vibration (WBV) has the potential to replace physical activity by activating the work of muscles and circulation, especially in weaker patients, such as patients suffering from serious circulatory disorders. For this reason, the influence of WBV on the work of various systems, including cardiovascular, has been recently investigated.
Prepared on the basis of:
Is There a Role For Whole Body Vibration in Protecting Cardiovascular Disease? Arq Bras Cardiol. Zornoff L, Minicucci MF. 2019;112(1):38-39.
When considering clinical trials, the use of WBV has so far produced varying results. For example, studies in stroke patients show some positive effects of WBV on neuromuscular activity, mobility, spasticity and cardiovascular response, but solid, conclusive evidence of vibration action mechanism is still lacking. In childhood oncology, WBV improves muscle mass and strength in the lower limbs, as well as balance and gait. In patients with moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, WBV improves physical function and quality of life, albeit without affecting markers of inflammatory response or oxygen management.
Moreover, in translational studies (animal research), it was observed that WBV reduced brain damage caused by ischemia in old rats and reduced oxidative stress – improving fatty liver. Vibrations also improved tissue response to insulin in db/db mice and reversed the liver fat storage increases induced by aging. In addition, Brazilian scientists from the UNESP University School of Medicine showed on 24 rats that vibration training (30 min/ day, 6 days/ week, for 1 or 3 weeks) could potentially increase the heart’s tolerance to ischemia-reperfusion injuries: vibration training reduced area of ischemic necrosis (infarction), reduced cardiac arrhythmia and promoted spontaneous defibrillation. However, the authors of the presented review emphasize that the results of translational research must be interpreted with caution, because often the successes of translational research did not translate into clinical effects. Moreover, in clinical settings, cardioprotection during circulatory restoration after ischemia has so far yielded negative results.
Comment
As can be seen from this short literature review, although the data are inconclusive, there is evidence of some beneficial effects of WBV in various models. Regarding cardiac experiments, unfortunately most of the clinical evidence comes from studies that use small and often non-randomized groups of patients, moreover, suffering not only from cardiovascular problems. However, the use of WBV – this new alternative to physical activity – seems to be a safe method that offers hope for its usefulness in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and their complications. Therefore, there is a strong need for further research on the impact of vibrotherapy on the prevention and rehabilitation of cardiovascular diseases.
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