Table 2.
Included Studies and Their Characteristics
| Study | Sample Description | Treatment and Comparison | Outcome Measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| del Pozo-Cruz et al, 2011 (randomized controlled trial)24 |
N = 50 (49 followed up for the entire study) patients with NSCLBP (minimum 6 mo of symptoms) Age (y) = 40-70; CG: 59.53 (5.47); WBV group: 58.71 (4.59) BMI = CG: 31.47 (6.41); WBV group: 28.6 (3.84) |
CG: Normal pattern of daily activities were continued for 12 wk. WBV group: WBV was given twice a week with 1-d gap in between the 2 sessions for a total of 12 wk. The participant stood on the platform with knees flexed 120°. |
Postural stability (Biodex balance system; anteroposterior stability index, mediolateral stability index) [0, 12 wk] |
| Wang et al, 2019 (randomized controlled trial)25 |
N = 89 patients with NSCLBP (minimum 3 mo of symptoms) Age (y) = between 18 and 60; CG: 22.02 (4.59); WBV group: 21.64 (3.01) BMI = CG: 21.88 (1.88); WBV group: 22.68 (2.54) |
CG: general exercise program was given. WBV group: exercise program similar to control group was given along with WBV. Both groups had 5-min warm-up followed by 15-min exercise and then 5-min cool down in each session. |
Trunk proprioception (Con-Trex isokinetic dynamometer; joint position sense in flexion and extension) [0, 12 wk] |
| Kim et al, 2018 (randomized controlled trial)26 |
N = 28 patients with NSCLBP (minimum 6 mo of symptoms) Age (y) = HVG: 55.1 ± 11.2; VVG: 53.7 ± 12.1 BMI = NR |
Both HVG and VVG performed exercise for 30 min/d, 3 times a week for overall duration of 12 wk. Both groups had 5-min warm-up, 20-min WBV exercise, and 5-min cool-down session. However, in HVG, horizontal vibrations were given in sagittal axis, and in VVG, vertical vibrations were given in vertical axis. | Standing balance control score (Biodex stability system; anteroposterior stability index, mediolateral stability index) [0, 6, 12, 16 wk] |
| Yang et al, 2015 (randomized controlled trial)27 |
N = 40 patients with NSCLBP (minimum 3 mo of symptoms) Age (y) = CG: 30.95; WBV group: 32.80 BMI = CG: 23.33; WBV group: 24.37 |
CG: lumbar stability training done for 30 min. WBV group: 25 min of lumbar stability training followed by 5 min of WBV. Participant stood with slightly flexed knees and lumbar lordosis on platform. The training in both groups was conducted for 3 times per week for total of 6 wk. |
Static balance (Tetrax; fall index) [0, 6 wk] |
| Wegener et al, 2019 (randomized controlled trial)28 |
N = 65 (33 were followed up for the entire study) patients with nonspecific chronic back pain (minimum 3 mo of symptoms) Age (y) = 61.6 (7.9); CG: 63.9 (6.5); WBV group: 60.9 (8.2) BMI = NR |
CG: classic physiotherapy performed twice a week in 3 blocks of 6 wk each. WBV group: WBV given twice a week in 3 blocks of 6 wk each, in which time and intensity was progressed with each block. Five defined trunk stability exercises were performed by both groups for an overall duration of 18 wk. |
Balance and postural stability (MFT-S3-Check; stability index, sensorimotor index, and symmetry index) [0, 18-24 wk] |
| Jung et al, 2020 (randomized controlled trial)29 |
N = 50 patients with NSCLBP (minimum 3 mo of symptoms) Age (y) = between 10 and 19; CG: 18.04 ± 0.68; WBV group: 18.00 ± 0.65 BMI = NR |
Both WBV and CG performed 5-min warm-up followed by 6 exercises and then 5-min cool down for 25 min/d, 3 times a week for overall duration of 12 wk. In WBV the exercises were performed on the WBV platform, and in CG, without any vibratory platform. Patients stood with knees 30°-45° flexed on the platform. | Trunk proprioception (Dualer IQ digital, repositioning error) [0, 12 wk] |
| Sajadi et al, 2019 (randomized crossover trial)30 |
N = 24 patients with NSCLBP (minimum 3 mo of symptoms) Age (y) = between 20 and 35; 25.2 (2.6) BMI = NR |
Two separate WBV sessions were conducted with a 2-wk washout period in between them. In the first session, half the patients received low-frequency WBV while the other half was given high-frequency WBV. In the second session the order was reversed. Patient stood with 15 flexed knees for five 1-min vibration sets with 1 min rest in between the sets. |
Position sense (Electro goniometer; repositioning error in neutral, 30% and 60% of lumbar flexion) [0, 2 wk] |
Values are represented as mean (standard deviation).
BMI, body mass index; CG, control group; HVG, horizontal vibration group; NR, not reported; NSCLBP, nonspecific chronic low back pain; VVG, vertical vibration group; WBV, whole-body vibration.