Whole-body vibration training and bone health in postmenopausal women: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The aims of the present systematic review and meta-analysis were to evaluate published, randomized controlled trials that investigate the effects on whole-body vibration (WBV) training on total, femoral neck, and lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women, and identify the potential moderating factors explaining the adaptations to such training.

From a search of electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane) up until September 2017, a total 10 studies with 14 WBV groups met the inclusion criteria. Three different authors tabulated, independently, the selected indices in identical predetermined forms. The methodological quality of all studies was evaluated according to the modified PEDro scale. For each trial, differences within arms were calculated as mean differences (MDs) and their 95% confidence intervals between pre- and postintervention values. The effects on bone mass between exercise and control groups were also expressed as MDs. Both analyses were performed in the total sample and in a specific class of postmenopausal women younger than 65 years of age (excluding older women).

The BMD of 462 postmenopausal women who performed WBV or control protocol was evaluated. Significant pre-post improvements in BMD of the lumbar spine were identified following WBV protocols (P = .03). Significant differences in femoral neck BMD (P = .03) were also found between intervention and control groups when analyzing studies that included postmenopausal women younger than 65 years.

WBV is an effective method to improve lumbar spine BMD in postmenopausal and older women and to enhance femoral neck BMD in postmenopausal women younger than 65 years.