Table 2.
Summary of the main findings of included studies.
| Study population | Intervention details | Outcome(s) | Main findings | PEDro score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hong et al.33 | DPN | Exercise Standing; knees slightly bent WBV parameters f: 20 Hz; u: ns | Pain | A significant reduction of pain in the VAS was found directly after application of WBV (P=ns) Significant reduction of pain in the long-term was found in both the VAS (P=ns) and in the NPS variables intensity, sharpness, unpleasantness and deep pain (P=ns) | 1 |
| Kessler et al.34 | DPN | Exercise Standing; knees bent at 20° to the vertical WBV parameters f: 25 Hz; u: 5 mm | Pain | A significant acute reduction of pain was found in the VAS (P=0.018) A significant chronic reduction of pain was observed in both the VAS (P<0.001) and in the NPS variables intense, sharp, hot, sensitive, unpleasant and deep pain (P<0.05) |
0 |
| Lee et al.35 | DPN | Exercise 110° squatting position WBV parameters f: 15-30 Hz; u: 1-3 mm | Strength, balance | Significant improvements were noted in the static balance, dynamic balance and muscle strength in the WBV + balance exercise group, compared to the balance exercise and control groups (P<0.05) | 7 |
| Paice et al.36 | HIV-associated DSPN | Exercise None; subjects sitting WBV parameters f: 58.3 Hz; u: ns | Pain | No statistically significant differences were found between the vibration and sham groups with respect to percentage pain relief (P=0.19) or the pre- and post-treatment current-pain difference (P=0.92) | |
| Yoosefinejad et al.37 | DPN | Exercise Squatting with knees in 30° flexion WBV parameters f: 30 Hz; u: 2 mm |
Strength, balance | Pre- and post-intervention difference strength was significant for m. tibialis anterior strength (P=0.014), but not for m. quadriceps and general strength (P>0.05) Pre- and post-intervention difference in balance was significant for TUGT (P=0.004), but not for ULS (P>0.05) |
2 |
PEDro, physiotherapy evidence database; DPN, diabetic peripheral neuropathy; WBV, whole-body vibration f: frequency; u, amplitude; ns, not specified; VAS, visual analogue scale; NPS, neuropathic pain scale; HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; DSPN, distal symmetrical polyneuropathy; TUGT, timed up and go test; UST, unilateral stance test.