Effectiveness of Whole Body Vibration on Health Outcomes in Older Adults With Dynapenic Abdominal Obesity

Dalin Tzu Chi General Hospital

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Abdominal Obesity; Dynapenia

Treatments: Behavioral: control group; Behavioral: whole body vibration training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07180485

B11401015

DTCRD113-E-14 (Other Grant/Funding Number)

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study focuses on whole body vibration training (WBVT), a form of neuromuscular training that uses mechanical vibrations. WBVT has been shown to improve muscle function, bone mineral density, and quality of life. While some benefits have been observed in the elderly population, there remains a research gap concerning its effectiveness in older adults with dynapenic abdominal obesity. Therefore, the findings of this study will provide new evidence for health interventions targeting this specific group.

This research targets outpatients aged 65 and above who meet the criteria for dynapenic abdominal obesity. It aims to evaluate the effects of WBVT on brain activity, osteoporosis, quality of life, and biological markers. The study period is from February 1, 2025, to January 31, 2027, with a planned sample size of 120 participants, equally divided into an experimental group and a control group (60 participants each).

Full description

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of whole body vibration training on older adults with dynapenic abdominal obesity in the following areas:

Brain activity: Changes in serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

Bone mineral density: Measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

Quality of life: Assessed through questionnaires covering improvements in physical health, mental well-being, and social functioning.

Biomarkers: Changes in levels of total cholesterol, high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, C-reactive protein (CRP), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c).

Enrollment: 120 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 65 to 100 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Outpatients aged 65 years or older

Diagnosed with dynapenic abdominal obesity

Able to understand and follow simple instructions

Able to communicate clearly and express their own will

Willing to sign the informed consent form

Exclusion criteria

Inability to communicate in Mandarin or Taiwanese, resulting in inability to participate in research activities

Severe visual or hearing impairment that hinders study participation

Presence of cognitive impairment, musculoskeletal or severe osteoporosis-related conditions

Refusal to sign the informed consent form

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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120 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

whole body vibration training group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in the experimental group underwent whole-body vibration (WBV) training three times per week for a total duration of 24 weeks. During each session, participants stood barefoot on a vibration platform, maintaining a static squat position with knees bent at 30 degrees and feet shoulder-width apart. The training protocol gradually increased in duration, number of sets, and total exercise time from an initial 10 minutes to 30 minutes over the 24-week period. The vibration frequency was progressively raised from 20 Hz to 40 Hz, with a constant amplitude of 2 mm. Each 10-minute session included a 1-minute rest interval. Additionally, all participants were provided with the "Move for Health" handbook issued by the Health Promotion Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan, as part of health education guidance. Post-intervention data collection was conducted at weeks 18 and 25 following the 24-week intervention program.

Treatment:

Behavioral: whole body vibration training

control group

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

The control group received the "Move for Health" handbook issued by the Health Promotion Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan, and participated in 30-minute health education sessions over a 24-week period. The educational content included exercise-related information, an introduction to dynapenic abdominal obesity (DAO), associated risk factors, and potential health consequences. Post-intervention data collection was conducted at weeks 18 and 25 following the 24-week intervention program.

Treatment:

Behavioral: control group