Effects of whole body vibration versus wobble board balance exercises on muscle activity, dynamic balance, pain, function, and quality of life in individuals with knee osteoarthritis

To find the relative effect of Whole Body Vibration training and traditional wobble board exercises in improving muscle activity, pain, dynamic balance, physical function, and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Thirty-eight patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomly allocated to either the Whole Body Vibration training group or the wobble board exercise group. The patients received four sessions per week for 4 weeks. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to monitor muscle activity in the quadriceps (Vastus Lateralis and Vastus Medialis) and hamstring group of muscles. The Numeric Pain Rating Scale was used to measure pain. Dynamic balance was assessed using the Y-balance test. Physical function and quality of life were assessed using Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score and SF-36 questionnaire, respectively.

The results show that 4 weeks of Whole Body Vibration and wobble board exercise training resulted in significant improvement in Vastus Medialis muscle activity (p = 0.03), and right (p = 0.024) and left (p = 0.029) dynamic-balance scores. No significant effect was observed for pain, Vastus Lateralis, Semitendinosus, and Biceps-femoris muscle activity, physical function, and quality-of-life scores (all p > 0.437).

Whole Body Vibration and wobble board exercise improved VM activity and dynamic balance in people with knee osteoarthritis, with Whole-Body Vibration being more effective in the activation of VM and bilateral improvement in dynamic balance.

The study was also registered in the Clinical Trial Registry-India (CTRI No.: CTRI/2018/03/012399).