Vibration training improves disability status in multiple sclerosis: A pretest-posttest pilot study

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an 8-week vibration training program on changing the disability level in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Twenty-five adults with clinically-confirmed MS underwent an 8-week vibration training on a side-alternating vibration platform. The vibration frequency and peak-to-peak displacement were set at 20 Hz and 2.6 mm, respectively. Prior to and following the training course, the disability status was assessed for all participants characterized by the Patient Determined Disability Steps (PDDS) and MS Functional Composite (MSFC) scores. The training program significantly improved the PDDS (3.66 ± 1.88 vs. 3.05 ± 1.99, p = 0.009) and the MSFC scores (0.00 ± 0.62 vs 0.36 ± 0.68, p < 0.0001). All three MSFC components were improved: lower extremity function (9.37 ± 4.92 vs. 8.13 ± 4.08 s, p = 0.011), upper extremity function (dominant hand: 27.81 ± 5.96 vs. 26.20 ± 5.82 s, p = 0.053; non-dominant hand: 28.47 ± 7.40 vs. 27.43 ± 8.33 s, p = 0.059), and cognitive function (30.55 ± 13.54 vs. 36.95 ± 15.07 points, p = 0.004). Our findings suggested that vibration training could be a promising alternative modality to reduce the disability level among people with MS.