82 Effects of Whole Body Vibration Training using Side-Alternating Vibration Platform with Tilt Table in Hospitalized Older Adults with Sarcopenia : A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Abstract Background and Aims Sarcopenia is defined as the loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength with increased age. Increased activity following whole body vibration (WBV) has been reported in patients with chronic illness, but few studies reported the effect of WBV on the physical function of patients with acute illness. This study aimed to investigate the effects of WBV training using vibration platform with tilt table on muscle mass and physical performance in adults with sarcopenia. Methods Inclusion criteria were as follow : 1) age more than 70 years old 2) unable to independently ambulate due to long term hospitalized care 3) patient who was diagnosed as sarcopenia. Participants were randomly allocated into WBV group using side-alternating vibration platform with tilt table vs. conventional physical therapy. In WBV group, subjects lied down on tilt table at 60 degree with bare foot. Then, subjects stood on the platform board which could vibrate. Initial evaluation included muscle power, muscle mass, hand grip force, balance test using Leonardo mechanography, Berg balance scale (BBS), timed get up & go (TUG) test, gait speed and activities of daily living (ADL). Muscle power was evaluated using manual muscle test (MMT). In balance test using mechanography, as a center of path parameters, standard ellipse area (SEA), path length (PL) were evaluated. After 2 weeks, 2nd evaluation was conducted. Results A total of 15 were enrolled. There were no significant differences between two groups in demographic characteristics. At initial assessment, there were no significant differences in both groups except for SEA. After intervention, WBV group showed improvements in muscle mass, SEA, BBS, TUG, gait speed, ADL. However, there were no statistically significant differences in all outcomes at 2nd evaluation. Conclusion WBV training may improve muscle mass, ability of ambulation and ADL in hospitalized older adults with sarcopenia.