• Mercè Sitjà-Rabert, Ma José Martínez-Zapata, Azahara Fort Vanmeerhaeghe, Ferran Rey Abella, Daniel Romero-Rodríguez, and Xavier Bonfill.
• Blanquerna School of Health Sciences (Universitat Ramon Llull), Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: mercesr@blanquerna.url.edu.
• J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2015 Feb 1; 16 (2): 125-31.

ObjectivesTo assess the efficacy of an exercise program on a whole-body vibration platform (WBV) in improving body balance and muscle performance and preventing falls in institutionalized elderly people.Design/Setting/ParticipantsA multicentre randomized parallel assessor-blinded clinical trial was conducted in elderly persons living in nursing homes.InterventionsParticipants were randomized to an exercise program performed either on a whole body vibratory platform (WBV plus exercise group) or on a stationary surface (exercise group). The exercise program for both groups consisted of static and dynamic exercises (balance and strength training over a 6-week training period of 3 sessions per week). The frequency applied on the vibratory platform was 30 to 35 Hz and amplitude was 2 to 4 mm.MeasurementsThe primary outcome measurement was static/dynamic body balance. Secondary outcomes were muscle strength and number of falls. Efficacy was analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis and per protocol. The effects of the intervention were evaluated using the t test, Mann-Whitney test, or chi-square test, depending on the type of outcome. Follow-up measurements were collected 6 weeks and 6 months after randomization.ResultsA total of 159 participants from 10 centers were included: 81 in the WBV plus exercise group and 78 in the control group. Mean age was 82 years, and 67.29% were women. The Tinetti test score showed a significant overall improvement in both groups (P < .001). No significant differences were found between groups at week 6 (P = .890) or month 6 (P = .718). The Timed Up and Go test did not improve (P = .599) in either group over time, and no significant differences were found between groups at week 6 (P = .757) or month 6 (P = .959). Muscle performance results from the 5 Sit-To-Stand tests improved significantly across time (P = .001), but no statistically significant differences were found between groups at week 6 (P = .709) or month 6 (P = .841). A total of 57 falls (35.8%) were recorded during the follow-up period, with no differences between groups (P = .406).ConclusionExercise program on a vibratory platform provides benefits similar to those with exercise program on a stationary surface in relation to body balance, gait, functional mobility, and muscle strength in institutionalized elderly people. Longer studies in larger samples are needed to assess falls.Copyright © 2015 AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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