Vibrotherapy lowers fibromyalgia symptoms and raises BDNF

The fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) manifests itself as chronic and widespread pain, inflammation of the nervous system and mild systemic inflammation, as well as muscle dysfunction. In addition, depression, sleep disturbances, decreased physical functioning and quality of life are common. A key signaling molecule involved in central and peripheral changes related to pathological conditions responsible for FMS, is a brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Exercise can play an important role in the treatment of fibromyalgia because, advantageously, increase BDNF expression in normal and pathological conditions. In people who are weaker or suffer from pain, and who need to increase their physical activity, the use of a gentle substitute for physical exercise – whole-body vibration training (WBVT) – is often considered. Therefore, an international group of scientists decided to investigate the effects of WBVT on BDNF levels and the clinical and functional aspects of FMS symptoms in FMS patients.

• WBVT significantly increased the level of BDNF in the blood by 0.23 ng/ml, while in the control group it decreased by 0.58 ng/ml.
• WBVT improved the functional and clinical outcomes assessed by STS, 6MWT, FIQ, PSQI, and BDI (see below).
• WBVT lowered the pain level.

Prepared on the basis of:

Efficacy of Whole-Body Vibration Training on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Clinical and Functional Outcomes, and Quality of Life in Women with Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Ribeiro VGC, Lacerda ACR, Santos JM et al. J Healthc Eng. 2021 Nov 30;2021:7593802

Study population

Thirty-two women (50 to 60 years old) diagnosed with FMS (confirmed by a rheumatologist), meeting appropriate criteria.

Test procedure

Patients were randomly assigned to the intervention group (IG; n = 17) receiving WBVT for 6 weeks or to the control group (CG; n = 15) receiving no intervention. In each group there were BDNF levels in the blood analysed, as well as sit-to-stand (STS) test, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), quality of sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the level of pain (visual analog scale, VAS).

Use of vibration in the study

Vibration training session was performed once a day, three days a week, every other day, for 6 weeks. The patients performed simple exercises – a dynamic squat tightening the muscles for 3 s in downward bend and then for 3 s upward on the synchronous FitVibe® Excel Pro vibration platform (GymnaUniphy, Belgium). During a single WBVT session, patients performed 6 to 8 squats and rested in between for 30 seconds on the non-active platform. Each session lasted about 3 – 10 minutes. The following vibration parameters were used: frequency 35-40 Hz, amplitude 4 mm, acceleration 2.78 – 3.26 g.

Results

At baseline, there was no statistical difference between the CG and IG groups in blood BDNF levels [CG = 2.39 (1.82 to 2.96) ng/ml; IG = 2.35 (1.59 to 3.11) ng/ml] and in the analyzed clinical and functional outcomes.

After the WBVT series, an increase in the BDNF level in the blood by 0.23 (0.03 to 0.43) ng/ml was observed, while in the CG group BDNF decreased – it changed during this time by -0.58 (-0.39 to -0.77) ng/ml. The difference between CG and IG after 6 weeks of WBVT was statistically significant (p = 0.045).

WBVT also improved functional outcomes: increased the number of repetitions in the STS test (p = 0.011) and extended walking distance in the 6MWT (p = 0.010), compared to CG. Moreover, WBVT improved clinical outcomes: reduced FIQ (p = 0.001), PSQI (p = 0.001), BDI (p = 0.017) and pain assessed by VAS (p = 0.008).

Comment

The results of the presented article show that WBVT promotes the increase of BDNF level in the blood of patients with fibromyalgia. In addition, it improves functional and clinical outcomes, positively affects the strength of the muscles of the lower extremities, aerobic capacity and quality of life in women with fibromyalgia.

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