Do whole body vibration exercises affect lower limbs neuromuscular activity in populations with a medical condition? A systematic review

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Dionello, Carla Fontoura^{a; b; *} | de Souza, Patrícia Lopes^{a; b} | Sá-Caputo, Danubia^{a; b; c} | Morel, Danielle Soares^{a; b} | Moreira-Marconi, Eloá^{b; d} | Paineiras-Domingos, Laisa Liane^{a; b} | Frederico, Eric Heleno Freire Ferreira^{b; e} | Guedes-Aguiar, Eliane^{b; f} | Paiva, Patricia de Castro^{b; g} | Taiar, Redha^h | Chiementin, Xavier^h | Marín, Pedro J.ⁱ | Bernardo-Filho, Mario^b

Affiliations: [a] Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Médicas, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil | [b] Laboratório de Vibrações Mecânicas e Práticas Integrativas e Complementares; Departamento de Biofísica e Biometria, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil | [c] Curso de Fisioterapia, Faculdade Bezerra de Araújo, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil | [d] Programa de Pós-graduação em Fisiopatologia Clínica e Experimental, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil | [e] Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil | [f] Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil | [g] Mestrado Profissional em Saúde, Medicina Laboratorial e Tecnologia Forense, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil | [h] Université du Reims Champagne Ardenne, Moulain de la Housse, Reims, France | [i] CyMO Research Institute, Valladolid, Spain

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Carla Fontoura Dionello, Departamento de Biofísica e Biometria, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Av. 28 de setembro, 87, fundos, 4°. andar, Vila Isabel, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 20551-030, Brazil. Tel./Fax: +55 21 28688332; E-mail: carla_dionello@yahoo.com.br.

Abstract: Background:The use of surface electromyography (sEMG) to evaluate muscle activation when executing whole body vibration exercises (WBVE) in studies provide neuromuscular findings, in healthy and diseased populations. Objectives:Perform a systematic review of the effects of WBVE by sEMG of lower limbs in non-healthy populations. Methods:The search using the defined keywords was performed in PubMed, PEDRo and EMBASE databases by three independent researchers. Applying the PRISMA statement several studies were selected according to eligibility criteria and organized for the review. Full papers were included if they described effects of WBVE for the treatment of illnesses, evaluated by sEMG of lower limbs independently on the year of the publication; in comparison or associated with other treatment and evaluation techniques. Results:Seven publications were selected; two in spinal cord injury patients, one in Friedreich’s ataxia patients, three in stroke patients and one study in breast cancer survivors. Reported effects of WBV in were muscle activation by sEMG and also on strength, blood flow and exercise resistance; even in paretic limbs. Conclusion:By the use of sEMG it was verified that WBVE elicits muscle activation in diseased population. These results may lead to the definition of exercise protocols to maintain or increase muscular activation. However, due to the heterogeneity of methods among studies, there is currently no consensus on the sEMG signal processing. These strategies might also induce effects on muscle strength, balance and flexibility in these and other illnesses.

Keywords: Electromyography, muscle, whole body vibration, rehabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/RNN-170765

Journal: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, vol. 35, no. 6, pp. 667-681, 2017