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Effects of 18-month low-magnitude high-frequency vibration on fall rate and fracture risks in 710 community elderly—a cluster-randomized controlled trial

Osteoporosis International volume 25, pages 1785–1795 (2014)Cite this article

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Abstract

Summary

This study is a prospective cluster-randomized controlled clinical trial involving 710 elderly subjects to investigate the long-term effects of low-magnitude high-frequency vibration (LMHFV) on fall and fracture rates, muscle performance, and bone quality. The results confirmed that LMHFV is effective in reducing fall incidence and enhancing muscle performance in the elderly.

Introduction

Falls are direct causes of fragility fracture in the elderly. LMHFV has been shown to improve muscle function and bone quality. This study is to investigate the efficacy of LMHFV in preventing fall and fractures among the elderly in the community.

Methods

A cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted with 710 postmenopausal females over 60 years. A total of 364 participants received daily 20 min LMHFV (35 Hz, 0.3 g), 5 days/week for 18 months; 346 participants served as control. Fall or fracture rate was taken as the primary outcome. Also, quadriceps muscle strength, balancing abilities, bone mineral density (BMD), and quality of life (QoL) assessments were done at 0, 9, and 18 months.

Results

With an average of 66.0 % compliance in the vibration group, 18.6 % of 334 vibration group subjects reported fall or fracture incidences compared with 28.7 % of 327 in the control (adjusted HR = 0.56, p = 0.001). The fracture rate of vibration and control groups were 1.1 and 2.3 % respectively (p = 0.171). Significant improvements were found in reaction time, movement velocity, and maximum excursion of balancing ability assessment, and also the quadriceps muscle strength (p < 0.001). No significant differences were found in the overall change of BMD. Minimal adverse effects were documented.

Conclusion

LMHFV is effective in fall prevention with improved muscle strength and balancing ability in the elderly. We recommend its use in the community as an effective fall prevention program and to decrease related injuries.

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Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank the 24 community centers for their help in the recruitment of elderly women and with monitoring the subjects in the LMHFV cohorts. This study was supported by General Research Fund (Ref: 469508) of University Grants Committee (www.ugc.edu.hk), Hong Kong SAR government. This study was supported by the General Research Fund (Ref. No. 469508) from the University Grants Committee, Hong Kong SAR government. (ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT00973167)

Conflicts of interest

None.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, 5/F, Clinical Sciences Building, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China

    K. S. Leung, C. Y. Li, V. W. Y. Hung, S. Y. Chan & W. H. Cheung

  2. Translational Medicine Research and Development Center, Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China

    K. S. Leung & W. H. Cheung

  3. Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China

    Y. K. Tse

  4. The Jockey Club Center for Osteoporosis Care and Control, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China

    T. K. Choy & P. C. Leung

  5. ACC-CUHK State Key Lab of Space Medicine Fundamentals and Application, CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China

    W. H. Cheung

  6. West of Scotland Orthopaedic Training Programme, Scotland, UK

    A. H. C. Leung

Authors
  1. K. S. Leung
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  8. A. H. C. Leung
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to W. H. Cheung.

Additional information

K.S. Leung and C.Y. Li are the co-first authors.

Electronic supplementary material

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Supplementary Table 1

Predicted difference in secondary outcomes between baseline and 18-month follow-up (linear mixed models)*. (DOC 48 kb)

Supplementary Table 2

Difference of bone mineral density change between high compliance vibration group and control group (cluster-adjusted 2 sample t test analysis). (DOC 51 kb)

Supplementary Table 3

Adverse events. (DOC 35 kb)

Supplementary Table 4

Fracture sites. (DOC 32 kb)

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Leung, K.S., Li, C.Y., Tse, Y.K. et al. Effects of 18-month low-magnitude high-frequency vibration on fall rate and fracture risks in 710 community elderly—a cluster-randomized controlled trial. Osteoporos Int 25, 1785–1795 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-014-2693-6

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