Clinical Research Directory

Acute Effect of Different Frequency of Whole Body Vibration (WBV) on Healthy and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an irreversible disorder characterized by persistent airflow limitation and increased lung compliance. It leads to dyspnea, skeletal muscle dysfunction, impaired functional capacity, and reduced quality of life. Physical inactivity is considered a major contributor to symptom deterioration, the development of a vicious cycle, and ultimately increased mortality. According to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the American Thoracic Society (ATS), and the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR), pulmonary rehabilitation should include aerobic and resistance exercise for at least 20 minutes per session, performed three to five times per week for a minimum of 12 weeks. Exercise intensity should be progressively increased to exceed 60% of peak oxygen uptake (VO₂peak), and patients are encouraged to maintain long-term exercise habits. However, there is still no consensus regarding the optimal initial intensity, progression strategy, and exercise duration. Previous studies have demonstrated that whole-body vibration (WBV) can improve lower extremity muscle strength, functional capacity, and quality of life in patients with COPD. However, its effects on lung function and the optimal training dose remain unclear. In addition, COPD also affects respiratory muscles, upper extremity strength and flexibility, as well as cardiac autonomic function. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of different WBV frequencies on lung function, respiratory muscle function, upper extremity strength and flexibility, and cardiac autonomic function, in order to determine the optimal training dose.

Whole-Body Vibration on Balance, Risk of Falling and Quality of Life in Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy of Whole-body vibration in improving postural control, risk of falling, and quality of life in patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does Whole-body vibration have a significant effect on postural control, risk of falling, and quality of life in patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy? Researchers will compare whole body vibration in addition to traditional exercise to traditional exercise alone to see if Whole-body vibration have a significant effect on postural control, risk of falling, and quality of life in patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Participants will: * age between 30-60 years old. * be on chemotherapy for at least one cycle as a treatment of malignant tumors with peripheral neuropathy. * have mild to moderate neuropathy according to mTNS. * be assigned randomly into two equal groups (control group (A) and study group (B)). * Take three sessions per week for eight weeks. * The control group (A) will be treated by selected physical therapy treatment (Strength resistive training, Stretching \& flexibility, Balance training) * The study group (B) will be treated with selected physical therapy treatment in addition to whole-body vibration therapy.

Whole-body Vibration Training on the Elderly With Combined Bilateral Knee Osteoarthritis

This study will aim to evaluate the effects of whole-body vibration training (WBVT) on body composition, muscle strength (hand grip strength), and physical performance \[gait speed (GS), 5-time chair stand test (5CST), and short physical performance battery (SPPB), pain intensity, triglycerides in older people with knee OA and sarcopenic obesity in a group of Men compared to group of females.

FREQUENCY-DEPENDENT SOLEUS REFLEX MODULATION DURING WHOLE-BODY VIBRATION

Exposure to microgravity leads to pronounced impairments in neuromuscular control, postural stability, and spinal reflex regulation that cannot be attributed to muscle atrophy alone. Rather, these deficits point to a disruption of load-dependent sensorimotor mechanisms and highlight the essential role of gravitational loading of the skeleton as a critical source of sensory input for spinal motor control. Spinal reflex behavior during upright stance has traditionally been explained primarily by muscle spindle-mediated pathways. However, this framework does not fully account for the reflex alterations observed under conditions of altered mechanical loading, including microgravity, prolonged unloading, or exposure to vibration. In parallel, advances in bone biology have identified osteocytes within the lacuno-canalicular system as highly sensitive mechanosensors that preferentially respond to dynamic loading and changes in strain rate. This insight has given rise to the concept of bone myoregulation, in which bone-derived mechanosensory signals contribute to the modulation of spinal excitability. A defining characteristic of this process is the poroelastic nature of bone tissue. As a fluid-saturated porous medium, bone exhibits frequency-dependent mechanical behavior, such that oscillatory loading modifies both the temporal profile and magnitude of interstitial fluid flow within the lacuno-canalicular network. As a result, loading frequency is expected to influence not only the timing of reflex responses but also their amplitude. Whole-body vibration offers a controlled experimental paradigm to probe these frequency-dependent, load-sensitive mechanisms in humans. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to identify the whole-body vibration frequency band that most effectively induces soleus reflex responses during quiet standing, considering both reflex latency and response amplitude. Investigators hypothesized that these responses would display frequency-dependent behavior consistent with poroelastic bone-mediated myoregulation and would be modulated by individual anthropometric characteristics, with potential implications for vibration-based countermeasures under altered gravitational loading.

Occupational Exposure to Whole Body Vibration Among U.S. Military Veterans: Acute and Chronic Contributions to Musculoskeletal Disorders and Spine-Area Pain

Significance to VA: There is a lack of prospective longitudinal studies investigating the relationship between risk factors to Veterans and development and progression of musculoskeletal (MSK) spine injury and pain. Military operational exposure to whole body vibration (WBV) is known to contribute to MSK disorders and pain. Our preliminary studies identified accelerated lumbar and cervical spine degenerative changes in military fighter pilots and helicopter aircrew compared to age- and sex-matched civilian controls. Those changes were likely associated with WBV that military aircrew experience during flight training, primarily affected intervertebral discs (IVDs) and endplates, were associated with neck and back pain symptoms and reduced functional capacity, and are likely to lead to lifelong spine-related issues. Therefore, these aircrew, and other military personnel that experience occupational WBV, are likely to enter the VA Healthcare system with pre-existing degenerative changes and spine-related pain symptoms that can progress over time. Similarly, many Veterans enter civilian occupations that involve WBV such as truck drivers and heavy equipment operators that may also have detrimental effects to the spine and lead to spine-related pain. Development of informed interventions and treatment protocols requires a mechanistic understanding of how the spine is acutely and chronically affected by occupational WBV from both structural and physiological perspectives. Innovation and Impact: Novel multi-parametric application of noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques such as arterial spin labeling (ASL), T2\* decay from ultra short TE, and diffusion MRI can provide early objective indications of endplate degenerative state and IVD hydration and perfusion, and novel application of upright MR imaging allows for gravitational loading of the IVD while observing segmental and region IVD fluid distribution and transport patterns. Specific Aims: The goal of the proposed effort is to characterize the effects of previous military and current civilian occupational WBV on IVD and endplate health and degeneration (Aim 1), and segmental and regional IVD fluid distribution and transport differences (Aim 2). The endplates contain vasculature that permits IVD fluid exchange and may be linked to IVD fluid dynamics. We propose looking for connections between segmental and regional IVD fluid dynamics, degenerative state of the associated endplates, and WBV exposure (acute-controlled and longitudinal-occupational). Finally, we propose evaluating the impact of body hydration state on IVD fluid distribution and transport following acute (30 min) controlled WBV (Aim 3). Cumulatively, these results inform population-specific preventative measures to preserve endplate health for Veterans in occupations that present with WBV and identify potential areas for further research and targeted treatment of MSK disorders and MSK pain. Methodology: This study will explore acute and chronic changes to the structure and physiology of the spine by enrolling Veterans with prior military or current civilian occupation that involves daily WBV. Advanced MRI sequences will identify endplate sclerosis and physiological changes including disc hydration and perfusion. Acute effects of WBV will be assessed using pre/post MRI scans with experimental WBV. Path to translation/Implementation: Our existing relationships with VA clinicians, including spine surgeons, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and pain medicine, will ensure VA patient applicability of these findings and will help to translate any outcomes from this research and future studies directly into patient care.

Effects of Home Base Whole-body Vibration in Osteoarthritis. (VIBE-Rx2)

The purpose of this proposal is to understand how the Vibrant Health Ultimate whole-body vibration (WBV) machine affects pain and inflammation in older adults. The investigators' hypothesize that sub-acute (12 weeks) WBV will lead to improvement in the level of knee pain and improve vascular function via a decrease in systemic inflammation.

Whole Body Vibration Therapy in Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes

The aim of this interventional study is to investigate the effect of whole body vibration therapy on muscle oxygenation, vibration sensation, functional capacity and balance in individuals with Type 2 diabetes. The main questions aimed to be answered are: * Does whole body vibration therapy affect peripheral muscle oxygenation? * Does whole body vibration therapy improve vibration sense, functional capacity and balance compared to aerobic exercise? Participants' muscle oxygenation, vibration sensation, functional capacity and balance parameters will be assessed. They will participate in a whole body vibration therapy or aerobic training program.

Whole-Body Vibration and Balneotherapy in Chronic Low Back Pain

This randomized controlled clinical trial aims to investigate the effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) exercises combined with balneotherapy on pain, physical function, sleep quality, and daily activity levels in individuals with chronic low back pain. A total of 60 volunteers aged 18 to 65 who have been diagnosed with chronic low back pain by a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist and who meet the eligibility criteria will be included. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups. Both groups will receive balneotherapy five days a week for three weeks. After balneotherapy, the first group will perform standard stretching, strengthening, and aerobic exercises designed for low back pain. The second group will receive the same exercise program in combination with WBV exercises using a vibration platform. WBV sessions will include static and dynamic exercises with specific frequency and amplitude settings. All participants will be evaluated at baseline and after three weeks using validated measures, including pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale), spinal mobility (Modified Schober Test), balance and reach (Functional Reach Test), physical performance (Sit-to-Stand and Timed Up and Go Tests), disability (Oswestry Disability Index, Roland-Morris Questionnaire), and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index). The study seeks to determine whether combining WBV with balneotherapy can provide additional benefits over standard exercise alone in managing chronic low back pain.

Pulsed Electromagnetic Therapy Versus Whole Body Vibration on Quadriceps Strength Post Burn

The purpose of the study is to evaluate which is more effective pulsed electromagnetic field therapy or whole-body vibration on quadriceps strength after chronic burn