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. 2020 Jul 22;15(7):e0235905. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235905

Table 4. Pre-determined items of importance when reporting human WBV studies and their importance rating of round 1 and 2.

Round 1 Round 2
Item Number When considering human studies using whole-body vibration is it important to report. . . Rating Yes/Neutral/No Agreement (% of yes) Disagreement (% of no) When considering human studies using whole-body vibration is it important to report. . . Rating Yes/Neutral/No Agreement (% of yes) Disagreement (% of no)
Information about vibration Information about vibration
1 …which frequency (Hz) is used? 51/0/0 100.0 0.0 . . .which frequency (Hz) is used? 39/0/1 97.5 2.5
2 …whether the frequency (Hz) is constant or variable? 50/1/0 98.0 0.0 . . .whether the frequency (Hz) is constant or variable? 37/0/3 92.5 7.5
3 …the type of vibration (i.e. synchronous, side-alternating, other)? 49/0/2 96.1 3.6 …the type of vibration (i.e. synchronous, side-alternating, other)? 40/0/0 100.0 0.0
4 …the units of the vibration parameters? 48/1/2 94.1 3.9 . . .the units of the vibration parameters? 40/0/0 100.0 0.0
5 …the amplitude of the vibration (in mm)? 48/2/1 94.1 2.0 . . .the amplitude of the vibration (in mm)? 40/0/0 100.0 0.0
6* …how the vibration parameters are measured, if own settings are used? 44/5/2 86.3 3.9 . . .how the vibration parameters are measured 34/3/3 85.0 7.5
7 …the definitions/explanations of the vibration parameters? 41/3/7 80.4 13.7 . . .the definitions/explanations of the vibration parameters? 31/6/3 77.5 7.5
8 …which peak-acceleration (in multiples of g) occurs? 41/7/3 80.4 5.9 . . .which peak-acceleration (in multiples of g) occurs? 32/5/3 80.0 7.5
9 …the position of each foot on the base of the vibration platform to calculate PDD or amplitude for side-alternating vibration? 41/8/2 80.4 3.9 . . .the position of each foot on the base of the vibration platform to calculate PDD or amplitude for side-alternating vibration? 37/2/1 92.5 2.5
10* …the position of the platform where PDD or amplitude is measured? 41/9/1 80.4 2.0 Incorporated in item 14
11 …whether manufacturer settings or own settings are used? 40/5/6 78.4 11.8 . . .whether manufacturer settings or own settings are used? 34/2/4 87.5 5.0
12 …whether the vibration is immediately full or increases slowly? 40/6/5 78.4 9.8 . . .whether the vibration is immediately full or increases slowly? 34/3/3 85.0 10.0
13 …which peak-to-peak displacement (PDD) of the vibration occurs? 40/7/4 78.4 7.8 . . .which peak-to-peak displacement (PDD) of the vibration occurs? 33/5/2 85.0 7.5
14* …where on the platform the vibration parameters are measured, if own settings are used? 38/10/3 74.5 5.9 . . .where on the platform the vibration parameters are measured? 35/3/2 82.5 5.0
15 …what the accuracy of vibration parameters is? 35/12/4 68.6 7.8 . . .what the accuracy of vibration parameters is? 22/13/5 55.0 12.5
16* …which acceleration (in RMS) occurs? 19/20/12 37.3 23.5 . . .which acceleration occurs based on a pilot study or relevant literature? 13/18/9 32.5 22.5
Additional suggestions 27/24 a 52.9 47.1
Information about device Information about device
17 …whether the device vibrates horizontal, vertical, side-alternating, waveform changing, or other? 50/0/1 98.0 2.9 . . .whether the device vibrates horizontal, vertical, side-alternating, waveform changing, or other? 40/0/0 100.0 0.0
18 …whether changes are made to the device (e.g. mounting a chair on it)? 49/2/0 96.1 0.0 . . .whether changes are made to the device (e.g. mounting a chair on it)? 39/1/0 97.5 0.0
19 …the manufacturer, device specifications, and production type? 48/1/2 94.1 3.9 . . .the manufacturer, device specifications, and production type? 39/1/0 97.5 0.0
20 …whether a handrail is available? 42/4/5 82.4 9.8 . . .whether a handrail is available? 34/3/3 85.0 7.5
21 …how the energy is generated (e.g. direct mechanical transmission or electromagnetic transmission) as this can have an effect on the performance of the device? 28/19/4 54.9 7.8 . . .how the energy is generated (e.g. direct mechanical transmission or electromagnetic transmission) as this can influence the performance of the device? 20/12/8 50.0 20.0
22 …the size of the vibration platform? 25/14/12 49.0 23.5 . . .the size of the vibration platform? 17/10/13 42.5 32.5
Additional suggestions 9/42 a 17.6 82.4
Information about administration Information about administration
23 …which posture or body position the participants take on during the vibration (e.g. sitting, standing, squatting)? 51/0/0 100.0 0.0 . . .which posture or body position the participants take on during the vibration (e.g. sitting, standing, squatting)? 40/0/0 100.0 0.0
24 …whether the position/posture changes during the WBV (static versus dynamic exercise)? 51/0/0 100.0 0.0 . . .whether the position/posture changes during the WBV (static versus dynamic exercise)? 40/0/0 100.0 0.0
25 …the number of sessions where WBV was utilized? 51/0/0 100.0 0.0 . . .the number of sessions where WBV was utilized? 40/0/0 100.0 0.0
26 …the resting time between sessions of WBV? 51/0/0 100.0 0.0 . . .the resting time between sessions of WBV? 40/0/0 100.0 0.0
27 …the number of exposures to WBV within one session? 50/1/0 98.0 0.0 . . .the number of exposures to WBV within one session? 39/1/0 97.5 0.0
28 …where the feet of the participants are placed? 49/2/0 96.1 0.0 . . .where the feet of the participants are placed? 30/1/0 97.5 0.0
29 …the total exposure time to WBV across all sessions? 48/1/2 94.1 3.9 . . .the total exposure time to WBV across all sessions? 39/0/1 97.5 2.5
30 …where the hands of the participants are placed? 47/3/1 92.2 2.0 . . .where the hands of the participants are placed? 37/1/2 92.5 5.0
31 …which exact tools and aids were used during the WBV (e.g. type and size of dumbbells)? 46/4/1 90.2 2.0 . . .which exact tools and aids were used during the WBV (e.g. type and size of dumbbells)? 36/3/1 90.0 2.5
32 …the on vs. off-times of vibration (e.g. pauses and how long) within one session? 45/5/1 88.2 2.0 . . .the on vs. off-times of vibration (e.g. pauses and how long) within one session? 37/1/2 92.5 5.0
33 …whether an examiner was present to supervise the WBV administration? 43/3/5 84.3 9.8 . . .whether an examiner was present to supervise the WBV administration? 34/2/4 85.0 10.0
34* …whether the cognitive/physical outcome measures are assessed during or after the WBV? 41/5/5 80.4 9.8 . . .whether the outcome measures (cognitive/physical) are assessed during or after the WBV? 35/2/3 87.5 7.5
35 …possible follow-ups to determine possible lasting effects? 41/7/3 80.4 5.9 . . .possible follow-ups to determine possible lasting effects? 34/2/4 85.0 10.0
36 …how resonance (skidding of feet) is prevented (e.g. front-foot vs. mid-foot stance)? 39/9/3 76.5 5.9 . . .how resonance (skidding of feet) is prevented (e.g. front-foot vs. mid-foot stance)? 27/8/5 67.5 12.5
37 …the location of the intervention (e.g. hospital or gym)? 30/8/13 58.8 25.5 . . .the location of the intervention (e.g. hospital or gym)? 28/7/5 70.0 12.5
38 …the conditions of the test room (e.g. light and temperature)? 24/10/17 47.1 33.3 . . .the conditions of the test room (e.g. light and temperature)? 20/6/14 50.0 35.0
Additional suggestions 10/41 a 19.6 80.4
Information about participants Information about participants
39 …subjective experiences of participants before, during, or after the WBV (e.g. dizziness, pain, postural instability, muscle fatigue)? 46/4/1 90.2 2.0 . . .subjective experiences of participants before, during, or after the WBV (e.g. dizziness, pain, postural instability, muscle fatigue)? 37/1/2 92.5 5.0
40* …the participants' BMI (height, weight)? 45/2/4 88.2 7.8 . . .the participants' height and weight? 39/0/1 97.5 2.5
41 …the participants' footwear (shoes, socks, barefoot) during WBV with a detailed description? 45/4/2 88.2 3.9 . . .the participants' footwear (shoes, socks, barefoot) during WBV with a detailed description? 38/1/1 95.0 2.5
42 …if, how, and for how long participants prepared for the WBV (e.g. stretching, muscles, warm up)? 43/6/2 84.3 3.9 . . .if, how, and for how long participants prepared for the WBV (e.g. stretching, muscles, warm up)? 36/3/1 90.0 2.5
43 …the participants' fitness and activity levels? 43/7/1 84.3 2.0 . . .the participants' fitness and activity levels? 37/2/1 92.5 2.5
44 …how it is assured that neck and head are not negatively affected by the vibration? 33/10/8 64.7 15.7 . . .how it is assured that neck and head are not negatively affected by the vibration? 20/10/10 50.0 25.0
45 …the participants' clothing during the WBV? 24/12/15 47.1 29.4 . . .the participants' clothing during the WBV? 15/11/14 37.5 25.0
46 …skin and muscle perfusion during the WBV? 16/15/20 31.4 39.2 . . .skin and muscle perfusion during the WBV? 5/15/20 12.5 50.0
47 …whether possible glasses were disturbing during the vibration? 14/20/17 27.5 33.3 . . .whether possible glasses were disturbing during the vibration? 6/12/22 15.0 55.0
48 …whether the participants wore glasses during WBV? 13/18/20 25.5 39.9 . . .whether the participants wore glasses during WBV? 6/9/25 15.0 62.5
Additional suggestions 10/41 a 19.6 80.4

Questions marked a had only yes/no answer options

* indicates a rephrasing of the item for the second round; bold indicates agreement of 70% or higher and no disagreement of 20% or higher; italic indicates a disagreement of 20% or higher; the dotted box depicts the incorporation of item 10 into item 14.