Combined effects of whole body vibration and unstable shoes on balance measures in older adults: A randomized clinical trial

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of 4 weeks of whole body vibration training on balance in older adults who word two different types of shoes: unstable (unstable group) versus standard shoes (stable group). Design: Randomized, single-blind clinical trial. Participants: Seventy eight eligible older adults were initially enrolled; 59 participants (mean age 69.7 +/- 5.3 years) completed the program. Intervention: Participants were randomized 1:1 to an intervention group that received whole body vibration with unstable shoes, and a control group that received whole body vibration with standard shoes. Outcome measures: The Fullerton Advanced Balance scale, preferred gait speed, maximum gait speed, and Fall Efficacy Scale were recorded at baseline, after the 4-week intervention, and 1 month after the end of the training program. Results: Both groups showed improvement in all outcome measures at 4 weeks (p < 0.01) with no significant between-group differences. In the unstable group, the gains were maintained at follow-up (p < 0.01) whereas the scores returned to baseline values in the stable group. At follow-up, significant between-group differences were found for Fullerton Advanced Balance scale (p < 0.001), preferred gait speed (p = 0.007) and maximum gait speed (p = 0.007), and all were in favor of the unstable group. Conclusion: Combining whole body vibration with unstable shoes can be proposed as a beneficial method with relatively long-term effects to improve balance measures in older people.