Stochastic resonance whole body vibration increases perceived muscle relaxation but not cardiovascular activation: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

AIMTo investigate the acute effects of stochastic resonance whole body vibration (SR-WBV), including muscle relaxation and cardiovascular activation.METHODSSixty-four healthy students participated. The participants were randomly assigned to sham SR-WBV training at a low intensity (1.5 Hz) or a verum SR-WBV training at a higher intensity (5 Hz). Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR) and self-reported muscle relaxation were assessed before and immediately after SR-WBV.RESULTSTwo factorial analyses of variance (ANOVA) showed a significant interaction between pre- vs post-SR-WBV measurements and SR-WBV conditions for muscle relaxation in the neck and back [F(1,55) = 3.35, P = 0.048, η2 = 0.07]. Muscle relaxation in the neck and back increased in verum SR-WBV, but not in sham SR-WBV. No significant changes between pre- and post-training levels of SBD, DBD and HR were observed either in sham or verum SR-WBV conditions. With verum SR-WBV, improved muscle relaxation was the most significant in participants who reported the experience of back, neck or shoulder pain more than once a month (P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONA single session of SR-WBV increased muscle relaxation in young healthy individuals, while cardiovascular load was low. An increase in musculoskeletal relaxation in the neck and back is a potential mediator of pain reduction in preventive worksite SR-WBV trials.

Effect of Whole-Body Vibration Exercise on Pain, Disability, Balance, Proprioception, Functional Performance and Quality of Life in People with Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Additionally, the application of WBVE may promote muscle relaxation and alleviate pain associated with muscle tension. Previous studies have highlighted how increased muscle activity and blood flow, followed by a natural relaxation response after contraction, can lead to overall muscle relaxation [ 52 , 53 ]. This relaxation effect may further contribute to the reduction in pain scores observed following WBVE.…”

The Influence of Stochastic Resonance Whole-Body Vibration on Women over 50 Years of Age—Preliminary Studies Based on Patients’ Own Experiences

“…As for back pain, an improvement was noticed in about 50% of women and, in the case of shoulder and hand pain, in about 31% of women experiencing such symptoms. Elfering et al [25,26] also investigated the effect of SR-WBV on muscle pain. Participants of the study reported slight improvements immediately after the first stochastic resonance training session, which gradually progressed with further trainings.…”

The Effectiveness of Trunk Stabilization Exercise Combined with Vibration for Adolescent Patients with Nonspecific Low Back Pain

“…First, vibration may have decreased pain by suppressing small fibers (A-δ or C fibers) from the pain signal transmitted to the central nervous system and activating large fibers (A-β fibers), closing the pain gate control [ 27 , 34 , 35 ]. Second, vibration may have improved pain resulting from muscle tension by relaxing the muscles [ 26 ]. Elfering et al performed WBV training in healthy adults at high intensity (6 Hz) and low intensity (2 Hz) and reported that the activity of trapezius muscle was significantly increased at high intensity (high 5.71 ± 1.14% maximum voluntary contraction, MVC vs low 2.24 ± 0.48% MVC).…”

“…Intervention was applied by modifying the exercise method used in the previous study [ 26 ]. The subjects, who were part of the Vibration (TT2590X7, TurboSonic Co., Seoul, Korea) group, performed six exercises (squat, bridge, single bridge, bridge and knee flex, side bridge, and plank) for 15 min on a Whole-body vibration machine (TT2590X7, TurboSonic Co., Seoul, Korea).…”

“…Most patients with LBP have paravertebral muscle spasms [ 14 , 25 ]; vibration has been reported to relax muscles and relieve musculoskeletal pain caused by high muscle tone [ 26 ]. Studies on vibration exercise in LBP patients reported significant improvements in proprioception, following the stimulation of a proprioceptor such as the golgi tendon organ (GTO) [ 27 ].…”