EFEITOS DA VIBRAÇÃO DE CORPO INTEIRO NA MOBILIDADE E NO CONTROLE POSTURAL EM IDOSOS RESIDENTES NA COMUNIDADE: UM ENSAIO CLÍNICO RANDOMIZADO

Abstract

Aging is a natural part of the human experience and is largely driven by increased life expectancy, which has resulted in a growing proportion of elderly individuals. This shift necessitates the development of strategies to maintain the functionality of this population, especially since aging is often linked to a rise in comorbidities and an increased demand for healthcare services. Whole-body vibration (WBV) is a type of exercise that uses high-frequency mechanical stimuli to enhance motor functions. While previous research has indicated benefits for older adults, there are still concerns about its application in seniors with specific health conditions, such as pacemaker use or the presence of metal pins, as well as the repercussions resulting from this therapy. The aim of this study was to verify the effects of a single session of WBV on mobility and postural control in community-dwelling older adults. In this two-arm, single-blind, randomized clinical trial, fifty-two participants were allocated to either the experimental (subject to a single WBV session) or placebo group. The assessments included mobility and postural control tests. Repeated-measures analyses of variance were performed to examine the main effect of group (experimental × placebo), time (baseline × after the intervention), and interactions. Significance was set at 5%. Compared with the control group, participants who underwent WBV showed positive outcomes in terms of mobility (p = 0.014, effect size: 0.115). Differently, no significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of postural control (P > 0.05 in all analyses). Therefore, benefits of a single session of WBV were observed on mobility. Possible benefits on postural control may require additional sessions. This trial was registered prospectively with the Brazilian Clinical Trials Register, ID: (#RBR-2mw2kwv, 15 July 2022).