Whole Body Vibration Exposure on Markers of Bone Turnover, Body Composition, and Physical Functioning in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Aromatase Inhibitor Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Introduction: Women with breast cancer are often prescribed aromatase inhibitors, which can cause rapid loss of bone mass leading to significant potential for morbidity. Vibration training has been shown to be helpful in reducing bone turnover in postmenopausal women without cancer. Aim: To examine the effect of vibration stimulus on markers of bone turnover in breast cancer patients receiving aromatase inhibitors. Methods: Thirty-one breast cancer survivors undergoing treatment with aromatase inhibitors were randomized to vibration stimulus (n = 14) or usual care control (n = 17). Low-frequency and low-magnitude vibration stimulus (27-32 Hz, 0.3g) was delivered in supervised sessions via standing on a vibration platform for 20 minutes, 3 times per week for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was blood markers of bone resorption (serum N-telopeptide X/creatine) and formation (serum type 1 procollagen N-terminal propeptide; P1NP). Other study outcomes body composition as well as measures of physical functioning. Outcomes were compared between groups using analysis of covariance adjusted for baseline values as well as time on aromatase inhibitors. Outcomes: On average, participants were 61.5 years old and overweight (ie, body mass index = 28.5 kg/m2). Following vibration training, there was no significant difference between groups for bone resorption (adjusted group difference 0.5, P = .929) or formation (adjusted group difference 5.3, P = .286). There were also no changes in any measure of physical functioning body composition. Conclusions: Short-term low-magnitude vibration stimulus does not appear to be useful for reducing markers of bone turnover secondary to aromatase inhibitors in breast cancer patients; nor is it useful in improving physical function or symptoms. However, further investigations with larger samples and higher doses of vibration are warranted. Trial Registration: Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12611001094965).

The Effects of Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Interventions on Symptom Management and Quality of Life among Breast Cancer Survivors Undergoing Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy: A Systematic Review

“…Two studies, reporting a home-based walking program and a whole body vibration intervention, examined the effect of their respective intervention on functional ability of breast cancer survivors undergoing adjuvant endocrine therapy (Table 8). While intervention participants who received the home-based walking program experienced a significantly greater reduction in their difficulty with activities involved in their daily living [35], those who received the whole body vibration intervention reported no significant improvement in their functional ability, as measured by their ability to rise from a chair and climbing stairs [43].…”

“…Baker et al [43] examined the effectiveness of a whole-body vibration intervention on joint symptom management among breast cancer survivors. This intervention was found to have no significant effect on alleviation of fatigue, joint pain, joint stiffness and physical dysfunction of joints (p ≥ 0.06).…”

“…Baker et al, 2018 [43] * Major findings are reported in the form of between-group comparisons unless otherwise stated.…”

“…The effect of a whole-body vibration intervention and neuromuscular taping intervention on reducing fatigue among the survivors was assessed by Baker et al [43] and Conejo et al [47], respectively. The whole-body vibration intervention exhibited no significant effect on improving fatigue at post-intervention (p = 0.079).…”

“…Baker et al, 2018 [43] Neuromuscular taping intervention (T1: 1 week after start of intervention/immediate post-intervention; T2: 5 weeks after start of intervention/4 weeks post-intervention) Within-group comparisons Intervention group…”