Tilt vibratory exercise improves pain, strength and somatosensory function in patients with fibromyalgia: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to analyse the effects of 12 weeks of tilting whole body vibration therapy on pain, strength and somatosensory function in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. This study was randomized controlled trial with assessor blinding. Thirty-six women with fibromyalgia were randomly allocated to exercise or control groups. The exercise group received a 12-week program of tilting whole body vibration therapy at 12.5-Hz frequency and 3 mm amplitude. The Muscle strength was assessed with an isokinetic dynamometer, pain with a digital algometer and the somatosensory system with a stabilometry platform.

The treatment induced a 23.5% improvement in widespread pain (P < .05) and 40% improvement in knee pain (P < .05).

The concentric knee extension and flexion strength improved by greater than 19% (P < .05), and balance with eyes closed showed a 25% improvement in the overall stability index (P < .05) and a 40% improvement in the antero-posterior stability index (P < .05) for all positions evaluated.

Twelve weeks of tilting whole body vibration therapy 3 times a week at a frequency of 12.5 Hz could be an effective therapy to improve strength, somatosensory function and pain in women with fibromyalgia.

This article presents new approaches for management of strength, somatosensory function and pain in patients with fibromyalgia. These measures and these results could potentially help clinicians, physiotherapists and rheumatologists who seek to improve these properties in these patients, this study aims provide a new type of disease management.