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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).
Randomized, single-blind clinical trial.
Seventy eight eligible older adults were initially enrolled; 59 participants (mean age 69.7±5.3 years) completed the program.
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.
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.
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.
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.