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Use of Whole Body Vibration in Patients With Fibromyalgia

Randomized Controlled Trial of a Therapeutic Intervention Consisting of the Use of Whole Body Vibration in Patients With Fibromyalgia.

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03782181
Enrollment
40
Registered
2018-12-20
Start date
2019-01-07
Completion date
2019-06-28
Last updated
2020-02-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Fibromyalgia

Brief summary

The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a 3-month program consisted of the use of whole body vibration (WBV) in patients with fibromyalgia in order to determine whether this intervention would be effective to short and medium-term improvement of symptoms in these patients.

Detailed description

This was a single blind randomized controlled trial. Forty patients of FM group were assigned randomly to 2 study groups: 20 patients will be part of the experimental group (EG) that will perform a neuromuscular treatment using the vertical whole body vibration platform and another 20 will constitute the control group (CG). All these subjects will sign the corresponding informed consent for their participation in the study, according to the ethical criteria established in the Helsinki Declaration. The study took place between January and Juny 2019. Two groups of variables were analyzed in the present study three times: before, after and follow-up after three months of the intervention.

Interventions

DEVICEWhole body vibration platform

A neuromuscular treatment using a rotational whole body vibration platform.

Sponsors

University of the Balearic Islands
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Masking description

In this clinical trial design strategy, the participants and the investigator do not know which participants have been assigned which interventions so there is a double-blind masking.

Intervention model description

In this clinical,two groups of participants receive different interventions. One group receives a training with a whole body vibration plattform and the other is the control group.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
30 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Patients with FM were included in the study if they fulfilled the 1990 classification criteria of the American College of Rheumatology for fibromyalgia. * Pain-free volunteers were included if they did not present pain symptoms or some type of treatment in any part of the body during the previous 12 months.

Exclusion criteria

* Participants were excluded from the study if they had not signed the informed consent or if they reported any other musculoskeletal disorder rather than patients with FM, any neurological disorder or had previous spinal fusion surgery or spinal cord stimulation.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Dynamometer5 minutesA back muscle dynamometer was used to measure isometric back muscle strength.
Pressure Pain Thresholds20 minutesPressure stimuli were applied on two bilateral body locations: epicondyles and index finger. The pressure pain threshold was defined as the pressure value considered as painful by the participant.
Vibration Thresholds20 minutesVibration thresholds at the great toes and at the index fingers were quantified bilaterally using a Vibratron II (Physitemp, Clifton, USA). Using a two-alternative forced-choice procedure, subjects identified which of two rods was vibrating. Vibration values displayed on the control unit are vibration units (the amplitude of vibration, proportional to the square of applied voltage). Vibration threshold for the index finger in the normal population between 18 and 65 years of age is 0.7 vibration units with a standard deviation of 0.4 vibration units. The vibration threshold for the great toe in a similar population is 1.2 vibration units with a standard deviation of 0.5 vibration units. There is an increase in threshold scores and in variance as a function of age. There is an increase in threshold scores and variance depending on age. When the vibratory threshold is lower, it indicates the patient's greater ability to detect vibratory stimuli.
Berg Scale30 minutesThis is a functional balance assessment tool, consisting of 14 functional tasks with values ranging from 0 (cannot perform) to 4 (normal performance). The general scores range from 0 (severely impaired balance) to 56 (excellent balance). The Berg scale has been previously used in patients with fibromyalgia to assess balance.
Six-minute Walking Test (6MWT)6 minutesThe 6MWT is a functional test in which the patient walks what he can during 6 minutes, analyzing the total distance walked.
Analysis of the Romberg's Balance Test With the CvMob Software1 minuteThe CvMob is an Open Source tool for the movement analysis. The software is capable to analyse the trajectories and to determinate the kinematic variables from a movie, that can be done with a simple camera. The tool includes the Movement Elements Decomposition Method (MED).In the present study, we analyzed the oscillatory body movements during the test performance. These ocillatory movements should be minimal with good balance.The patients were asked to remain in orthostatic position with feet parallel at shoulder height, arms extended along the body and eyes closed for 1 minute. A body marker is placed on the patient's head. A camera placed on the ceiling records the movements. Subsequently, the software analyzes and decomposes the movement that the patient has described in the anteroposterior and mediolateral axis. Higher values represent a worse outcome.
Gait Task5 minutesSubjects were instructed to walk on a 4 meters carpet at their normal walking step, with shocks and with flexed arms positioned on the abdomen. Optical markers were attached at the following three body positions: area between the lateral condyle of the femur and the fibular head, great trochanter and lateral malleolus. Subject's motion was digitally recorded with a video camera at 210 frames per second (CasioExilimEX-FS10). The camera was positioned at a distance of 4 meters from the carpet to visualize changes in position, velocity and anatomical points along the x-axis. It was calculated the stride length by an open- source software for computer vision analysis of human movement.
Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ)5 minutesThe Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) is an assessment and evaluation instrument developed to measure fibromyalgia (FM) patient status, progress and outcomes. It has been designed to measure the components of health status that are believed to be most affected by fibromyalgia. The FIQ is a self administered instrument that takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. The directions are simple and the scoring is self-explanatory. The FIQ is scored in such a way that a higher score indicates a greater impact of the syndrome on the person. Each of the 10 items has a maximum possible score of 10. Thus the maximum possible score is 100. The average FM patient scores about 50, severely afflicted patients are usually 70 plus.
Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAS)5 minutesEach participant was asked to indicate their current level of pain using a 20 cm VAS that ranged from 0 (no pain) to 100 (highest level of pain).
Quality of Life Index (QLI)10 minutesThe Quality of Life Index (QLI) is a self-report questionnaire that measures perceived health-related quality of life. We used the total score of QLI. Its scale is scored by simply adding the score on each item. The range of scores is between 15 to 105, with a higher score or number being indicative of a higher quality of life. An average total rating for a healthy person is usually around 90, whereas a low quality of life measures around 15.

Countries

Spain

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Patients Perform Whole Body Vibration Plat
An arm type in which a group of patients with fibromyalgia receives an intervention based on the use of a whole body vibration platform, considered to be effective by clinical evidence. Whole body vibration platform: A neuromuscular treatment using a rotational whole body vibration platform.
20
Control Group
No intervention arm
20
Total40

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicPatients Perform Whole Body Vibration PlatControl GroupTotal
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
20 Participants20 Participants40 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
20 Participants20 Participants40 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Region of Enrollment
Spain
20 participants20 participants40 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
19 Participants18 Participants37 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
1 Participants2 Participants3 Participants
weight67 kg
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.46
65 kg
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.82
66 kg
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.42

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 200 / 20
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 200 / 20
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 200 / 20

Outcome results

Primary

Analysis of the Romberg's Balance Test With the CvMob Software

The CvMob is an Open Source tool for the movement analysis. The software is capable to analyse the trajectories and to determinate the kinematic variables from a movie, that can be done with a simple camera. The tool includes the Movement Elements Decomposition Method (MED).In the present study, we analyzed the oscillatory body movements during the test performance. These ocillatory movements should be minimal with good balance.The patients were asked to remain in orthostatic position with feet parallel at shoulder height, arms extended along the body and eyes closed for 1 minute. A body marker is placed on the patient's head. A camera placed on the ceiling records the movements. Subsequently, the software analyzes and decomposes the movement that the patient has described in the anteroposterior and mediolateral axis. Higher values represent a worse outcome.

Time frame: 1 minute

Population: Patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (n=40).

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Whole Body Vibration PlatAnalysis of the Romberg's Balance Test With the CvMob Software0.004 CentimetersStandard Deviation 0.002
Control GroupAnalysis of the Romberg's Balance Test With the CvMob Software0.12 CentimetersStandard Deviation 0.1
Primary

Berg Scale

This is a functional balance assessment tool, consisting of 14 functional tasks with values ranging from 0 (cannot perform) to 4 (normal performance). The general scores range from 0 (severely impaired balance) to 56 (excellent balance). The Berg scale has been previously used in patients with fibromyalgia to assess balance.

Time frame: 30 minutes

Population: Patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (n=40).

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Whole Body Vibration PlatBerg Scale39.1 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 4.8
Control GroupBerg Scale28.4 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 3.1
Primary

Dynamometer

A back muscle dynamometer was used to measure isometric back muscle strength.

Time frame: 5 minutes

Population: Patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (n=40).

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Whole Body Vibration PlatDynamometer40.8 Newtons.Standard Deviation 5.9
Control GroupDynamometer32.8 Newtons.Standard Deviation 4.8
Primary

Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ)

The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) is an assessment and evaluation instrument developed to measure fibromyalgia (FM) patient status, progress and outcomes. It has been designed to measure the components of health status that are believed to be most affected by fibromyalgia. The FIQ is a self administered instrument that takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. The directions are simple and the scoring is self-explanatory. The FIQ is scored in such a way that a higher score indicates a greater impact of the syndrome on the person. Each of the 10 items has a maximum possible score of 10. Thus the maximum possible score is 100. The average FM patient scores about 50, severely afflicted patients are usually 70 plus.

Time frame: 5 minutes

Population: Patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (n=40).

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Whole Body Vibration PlatFibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ)69.3 Units on a scaleStandard Deviation 15.2
Control GroupFibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ)81.7 Units on a scaleStandard Deviation 6.6
Primary

Gait Task

Subjects were instructed to walk on a 4 meters carpet at their normal walking step, with shocks and with flexed arms positioned on the abdomen. Optical markers were attached at the following three body positions: area between the lateral condyle of the femur and the fibular head, great trochanter and lateral malleolus. Subject's motion was digitally recorded with a video camera at 210 frames per second (CasioExilimEX-FS10). The camera was positioned at a distance of 4 meters from the carpet to visualize changes in position, velocity and anatomical points along the x-axis. It was calculated the stride length by an open- source software for computer vision analysis of human movement.

Time frame: 5 minutes

Population: Patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (n=40).

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Whole Body Vibration PlatGait Task0.9 MetersStandard Deviation 0.2
Control GroupGait Task1.1 MetersStandard Deviation 0.3
Primary

Pressure Pain Thresholds

Pressure stimuli were applied on two bilateral body locations: epicondyles and index finger. The pressure pain threshold was defined as the pressure value considered as painful by the participant.

Time frame: 20 minutes

Population: Patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (n=40).

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Whole Body Vibration PlatPressure Pain Thresholds29.8 Newton/centimeter² (N/cm²)Standard Deviation 9.7
Control GroupPressure Pain Thresholds22.1 Newton/centimeter² (N/cm²)Standard Deviation 6.2
Primary

Quality of Life Index (QLI)

The Quality of Life Index (QLI) is a self-report questionnaire that measures perceived health-related quality of life. We used the total score of QLI. Its scale is scored by simply adding the score on each item. The range of scores is between 15 to 105, with a higher score or number being indicative of a higher quality of life. An average total rating for a healthy person is usually around 90, whereas a low quality of life measures around 15.

Time frame: 10 minutes

Population: Patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (n=40).

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Whole Body Vibration PlatQuality of Life Index (QLI)5.0 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.9
Control GroupQuality of Life Index (QLI)3.8 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.8
Primary

Six-minute Walking Test (6MWT)

The 6MWT is a functional test in which the patient walks what he can during 6 minutes, analyzing the total distance walked.

Time frame: 6 minutes

Population: Patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (n=40).

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Whole Body Vibration PlatSix-minute Walking Test (6MWT)415 MetresStandard Deviation 26.1
Control GroupSix-minute Walking Test (6MWT)387 MetresStandard Deviation 42.8
Primary

Vibration Thresholds

Vibration thresholds at the great toes and at the index fingers were quantified bilaterally using a Vibratron II (Physitemp, Clifton, USA). Using a two-alternative forced-choice procedure, subjects identified which of two rods was vibrating. Vibration values displayed on the control unit are vibration units (the amplitude of vibration, proportional to the square of applied voltage). Vibration threshold for the index finger in the normal population between 18 and 65 years of age is 0.7 vibration units with a standard deviation of 0.4 vibration units. The vibration threshold for the great toe in a similar population is 1.2 vibration units with a standard deviation of 0.5 vibration units. There is an increase in threshold scores and in variance as a function of age. There is an increase in threshold scores and variance depending on age. When the vibratory threshold is lower, it indicates the patient's greater ability to detect vibratory stimuli.

Time frame: 20 minutes

Population: Patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (n=40).

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Whole Body Vibration PlatVibration Thresholds2.8 HertzStandard Deviation 0.7
Control GroupVibration Thresholds3.5 HertzStandard Deviation 0.6
Primary

Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAS)

Each participant was asked to indicate their current level of pain using a 20 cm VAS that ranged from 0 (no pain) to 100 (highest level of pain).

Time frame: 5 minutes

Population: Patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (n=40).

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Whole Body Vibration PlatVisual Analogue Pain Scale (VAS)71.2 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 7.9
Control GroupVisual Analogue Pain Scale (VAS)78 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 5.2

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026