The effects of whole-body vibration on wound healing in a mouse pressure ulcer model

Abstract

Background: Pressure ulcers are one of the most common complications of immobility resulting from pressure and shear. Whole-body vibration (WBV) has been shown to increase skin blood flow but little information is known about its effect on pressure ulcers. This study investigated the effects of WBV on wound healing in a mouse pressure ulcer model. Methods: Two cycles of ischemia-reperfusion were performed by external application of two magnetic plates to dorsal skin to induce stage II pressure ulcers characterized by partial-thickness skin loss with exposed dermis. A total of 32 male ICR mice were randomly and equally divided into untreated control and the WBV groups. Immediately after the completion of 2-cycle ischemia-reperfusion injury, mice in the WBV group participated in a WBV program using a vibrator (frequency 45 Hz, peak acceleration 0.4 g, vertical motion) for 30 min/day and 5 consecutive days/week. At days 7 and 14 post-ulceration, wound closure rate was assessed. Wound tissues were harvested for determination of collagen deposition in Masson's trichrome stained sections, neutrophil infiltration and capillary density in hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections, as well as TNF-α and VEGF levels using ELISA. Results: TNF-α levels and neutrophil infiltration were significantly decreased in wounds on days 7 and 14 of WBV treatment. Moreover, wound closure rate and collagen deposition were remarkably accelerated on day 14. Tissue VEGF and capillary density were unaffected by WBV at either time point. Conclusions: These findings suggest that WBV has the potential to promote the healing process of stage II pressure ulcers, as evidenced by attenuation of wound inflammation and enhancement collagen deposition.

Whole body vibration, an alternative for exercise to improve recovery from surgery?

“…Preclinical studies have shown that WBV may stimulate different brain regions and promotes the synthesis of neurotransmitters ( Ariizumi and Okada, 1985 ; Zhao et al, 2014 ; Heesterbeek et al, 2017 ) and neurotrophic factors ( Huang et al, 2018 ; Raval et al, 2018 ), alleviates (neuro)inflammation ( Peng et al, 2021 ; Chen et al, 2022 ; Oroszi et al, 2022a ); and improves cognitive functions ( Keijser et al, 2017 ; Boerema et al, 2018 ). Additionally, WBV may improve wound healing ( Weinheimer-Haus et al, 2014 ; Wano et al, 2021 ). Taken together, we hypothesize that WBV could provide a safe and low-cost alternative for active exercise during the early phase of postoperative recovery.…”

Influence of 40 Hz and 100 Hz Vibration on SH-SY5Y Cells Growth and Differentiation—A Preliminary Study

“…In vivo and in vitro trials have shown that vibrations exert anabolic effects on skeletal metabolism by promoting osteogenic activity, accelerating fracture and wound healing, preventing disuse atrophy in musculoskeletal tissues, improving the bone structure and muscle performance in a variety of different patient groups and could enhance chondrogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 70 ]. Vibration has promising applications in many various diseases.…”

“…Whole-body vibration (WBV) at 45 Hz seems to be promising in this regard. This treatment decreased neutrophil infiltration, and TNF-α levels enhanced collagen deposition in wounds and increased angiogenesis [ 17 , 18 ]. The combination of thermal images and vibration leads to preulcerative lesions in the diabetic foot [ 12 , 13 ].…”

The Effect of Vibration on the Acceleration of Wound Healing of Diabetic Neuropathic Foot Ulcer: A Prospective Experimental Study on Human Patients

“…For human patients, vibration intervention has been employed in medical rehabilitation, neurology, physiotherapy, and orthopedic surgery. In recent years, however, there has been an increase in vibration therapy research for other clinical applications, especially in wound and ulcer healing [29][30][31][32][33][34]. In [32], it is shown that vibration helps the healing of Stage I pressure ulcers in elderly patients.…”