Citation

Amorim NTS, Cavalcanti FCB, Moura ECSC, Sobral Filho D, Leitão CCS, Almeida MM, Marinho PM. J. Bodyw. Mov. Ther. 2024; 39: 518-524.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2024, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jbmt.2024.03.013

PMID

38876678

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Whole-Body Vibration (WBV) can be a therapeutic recovery strategy for patients hospitalized for COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of a 36-session WBV protocol on the risk of falls, balance, mobility and heart rate variability (HRV). STUDY DESIGN: A randomized clinical trial.

METHODS: 13 patients affected by COVID-19, trained with WBV, 3×/week on alternate days, totaling 36 sessions, were evaluated before and after the intervention.

RESULTS: WBV training at 2 mm and 4 mm amplitude resulted in a reduction in the risk of falls when compared to Sham (p = 0.023), with effect size of 0.530. No changes were observed for mobility and balance outcomes (p = 0.127) or for any of the HRV variables (p = 0.386).

CONCLUSION: WBV training reduced the risk of falls in post-COVID patients. No changes were observed regarding balance and mobility, nor for HRV.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Aged; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Exercise; SARS-CoV-2; Physical Therapy Modalities; *Accidental Falls/prevention & control; *Heart Rate/physiology; *Postural Balance/physiology; *COVID-19; *Vibration/therapeutic use; Autonomic nervous system diseases; Complementary therapeutic methods; Lung diseases