Effects of whole-body vibration exercise on bone mineral content and density in thermally injured children

Abstract

Background Loss of bone mass, muscle mass, and strength leads to significant disability in severely burned children. We assessed the effects of exercise combined with whole-body vibration (WBV) on bone mass, lean mass (LM), and muscle strength in children recovering from burns. Methods Nineteen burned children (≥30% total body surface area [TBSA] burns) were randomly assigned to a 6-week exercise regimen either alone (EX; n = 10) or in combination with a 6-week WBV training regimen (EX+WBV; n = 9). WBV was performed concurrent to the exercise regimen for 5 days/week on a vibrating platform. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry quantified bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD) and LM; knee extension strength was assessed using isokinetic dynamometry before and after training. Alpha was set at p < 0.05. Results Both groups were similar in age, height, weight, TBSA burned, and length of hospitalization. Whole-body LM increased in the EX group (p = 0.041) and trended toward an increase in the EX+WBV group (p = 0.055). On the other hand, there were decreases in leg BMC for both groups (EX, p = 0.011; EX+WBV, p = 0.047), and in leg BMD for only the EX group (EX, p < 0.001; EX+WBV, p = 0.26). Truncal BMC decreased in only the EX group (EX, p = 0.009; EX+WBV, p = 0.61), while BMD decreased in both groups (EX, p < 0.001; EX+WBV group, p < 0.001). Leg strength increased over time in the EX group (p < 0.001) and the EX+WBV group (p < 0.001; between-group P = 0.31). Conclusions Exercise in combination with WBV may help attenuate regional bone loss in children recovering from burns. Studies are needed to determine the optimal magnitude, frequency, and duration of the vibration protocol, with attention to minimizing any potential interference with wound healing and graft closure.

The effect of whole-body vibration training on lean mass

“…There were only 2 trials including 43 children and adolescents to assess the influence of WBV on muscle mass or lean mass. [ 22 , 27 ] Study participants included boys and girls aged 12 to 18 years with Down syndrome [ 27 ] and thermally injured children. [ 22 ] The results indicated that there were no significant differences of lean mass or muscle mass between experimental and control groups (SMD = −0.31, 95%CI: −2.51, 1.89; Fig.…”

A 24-Week Physical Activity Intervention Increases Bone Mineral Content without Changes in Bone Markers in Youth with PWS

“…Of consideration, a plausible approach may be to use a combination of strategies including exercise and whole-body vibration therapy. This combination has been successfully used in youth with severe burns [ 34 ].…”

Does Whole-Body Vibration Treatment Make Children’s Bones Stronger?

“…Beneficial effect of WBV training, in terms of increased BMD and quadriceps strength, was also demonstrated in a study on patients with hemophilia [35]. WBV training has also been studied in children recovering from burns who performed regular exercise in conjunction with WBV, which improved leg strength but with reportedly small decreases in some BMC and BMD measurements [36]. Leonard et al [37] conducted a large WBV intervention in a pediatric cohort of Crohn's disease and found increased vertebral trabecular BMD, but inconsistent effects on axial and appendicular trabecular volumetric BMD.…”