Randomized comparison of whole-body vibration plus usual care versus usual care to improve muscle health in older adults
Effectiveness of Whole Body Vibration Therapy and Usual Care Compared to Usual Care in Improving Muscle Mass, Strength and Function in Older Adults
This study will test whether adding a four-week, three-times-weekly whole-body vibration program to usual care helps pre-frail and mildly frail adults aged 65 and older improve muscle mass, strength, and function.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 65 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Changi General Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Singapore) |
| Trial ID | NCT07205133 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a randomized, two-arm trial in which community-dwelling adults aged 65+ with clinical frailty scale scores of 3–4 are allocated to either whole-body vibration therapy plus usual care or to usual care alone. The intervention consists of a progressive 4-week WBVT program delivered three times per week, with measurements taken at baseline and at two post-intervention time points. The primary outcome is change in maximal isometric knee-extension strength from baseline to two weeks after the intervention, and secondary outcomes include appendicular skeletal muscle index, handgrip strength, gait speed, timed chair stands, quality of life, and physical activity level. The trial enrolls about 20 participants per arm and excludes people with dementia, recent hospital admission, poorly controlled chronic disease, or contraindications to vibration therapy.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are independently ambulant community-dwelling adults aged 65 or older with mild frailty (CFS 3–4), who do not already meet regular exercise thresholds and can travel to the study site.
Not a fit: People with dementia, recent hospital stays, poorly controlled chronic illnesses, contraindications to whole-body vibration, or more advanced frailty are unlikely to benefit or be eligible for this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If effective, WBVT could offer a lower-burden, easier-to-follow option to help pre-frail older adults gain muscle strength and improve function.
How similar studies have performed: Small prior studies of whole-body vibration have reported improvements in muscle strength and function, but findings are mixed and larger randomized trials remain limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy Volunteer or Patients aged 65 and above, * Clinical frailty Scale (CFS) score of 3-4, * Independently ambulating without any aid * willingness and consent to participate in the study and ability to travel to the study-site for the measurements and interventions, and * participants with no regular exercise habits (defined as less than 150mins/week of moderate intensity aerobic exercise and less than twice a week of strengthening exercises)for past 3 months. Exclusion Criteria: * current active enrolment into any Day Rehab or community exercise program, * contraindications to WBVT machine usage (see below), * diagnosis of dementia, * history of Diabetes Mellitus * BMI ≤20kg/m2, * recent hospital admissions within the last 3 months, * end stage organ failure, * chronic diseases which are not well managed, for example, poorly controlled hypertension, * New York Heart Association (NYHA) score II and above for patients with history of heart failure and * MUST Score ≥1. Contraindications to WBVT: PRIMARY CONTRAINDICATIONS TO WBVT * Pregnancy * Acute thrombosis (acute vascular occlusion) * Artificial joints in stimulated body regions * Fresh fractures in stimulated body regions * Within 3 months post surgery/procedure and/or any fresh wounds and scars in the stimulated body regions * or if the wound healing is not yet completely finished. SECONDARY CONTRAINDICATIONS TO WBVT * Acute inflammation of the musculoskeletal system, activated arthrosis or * arthropathy (e.g. acute inflammation and swelling in joints). * Acute tendinopathies in stimulated body regions (acute tendonitis) * Acute hernias (tissue ruptures) * Acute discopathy (acute disc-related back problem) * Stone disease of the bile ducts and urinary tract * Rheumatoid Arthritis * Epilepsy due to secondary risk of injury
Where this trial is running
Singapore
- Changi General Hospital — Singapore, Singapore (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Christine Yuanxin Chen, MBBS
- Email: christine.chen.y.x@singhealth.com.sg
- Phone: +65-9030 4976
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.