Article

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of whole body vibration for pain, stiffness and
physical functions in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
DATA SOURCES: We
searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE,
Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) and EMBASE (up to October 2014) to
identify relevant randomized controlled trials. The outcome measures were pain,
stiffness and physical functions. METHODS: Two investigators identified
eligible studies and extracted data independently. The PEDro score was used to
evaluate the methodological quality of the selected studies. Standard mean
differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated, and
heterogeneity was assessed using the I(2) test. RESULTS: A total of five
randomized controlled trials involving 170 patients with knee osteoarthritis met
the inclusion criteria. Only four studies involving 144 patients were deemed to
be good quality trials (PEDro score = 6-7). Meta-analysis revealed that whole
body vibration has a signi fi cant treatment effect in Western Ontario and
McMaster Universities index physical function score
(SMD = -0.72 points, 95% CI =
-1.14 to -0.30, P = 0.0008), 12 weeks whole body vibration improved the 6-minute
walk test (SMD 1.15 m, 95% CI 0.50 to 1.80, P = 0.0006) and balance (SMD = -0.78
points, 95% CI -1.40 to -0.16,
P = 0.01). Whole body vibration was not associated
with a signi fi cant reduction in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities index
pain and stiffness score. CONCLUSION: Eight-week and 12-week whole body vibration
is beneficial for improving physical functions in patients with knee
osteoarthritis and could be included in rehabilitation programs.
CI - (c) The Author(s) 2014.

Langue : ANGLAIS