Animal studies show beneficial effects, but studies in postmenopausal women are conflicting.

Researchers at Toronto, and McMaster University, in Hamilton, Ontario, studied whether whole body vibration improves bone density and structure.

First, the details.

• 202 healthy postmenopausal women with bone mineral density were randomly assigned to a treatment group for 12 months.
• Stand on a low-magnitude (0.3 g) 90-Hz or 30-Hz whole-body vibration platform for 20 minutes daily
• Serve as control participants
• T-score compares a patient’s bone mineral density to that of a healthy person the same sex, age, and ethnicity.
• T-scores between -1.0 and -2.5 are considered osteopenia, a precursor of osteoporosis.
• All participants received calcium and vitamin D.
• Trabecular (main portion of bone) volumetric bone mineral density and other measurements of the distal tibia and distal radius were evaluated.

And, the results.

• 12 months of whole-body vibration therapy had no significant effect on any bone outcomes compared with no whole-body vibration therapy.

The bottom line?

The authors concluded, “Whole-body vibration therapy… for 12 months did not alter bone mineral density or bone structure in postmenopausal women who received calcium and vitamin D supplementation.

12/11/11 22:18 JR