Effect of whole body vibration training, on the lower limb muscles’ electromyography and timing of activation in patients with knee osteoarthritis during functional activity

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of whole body vibration on electromyographic changes and timing of lower limb muscle activity in patients with knee osteoarthritis during functional activity.

68 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee participate in this single blind study, which is randomly divided into two groups of intervention and control using four random blocks.

Volunteer participants with osteoarthritis of the knee referred to the Neuromuscular Rehabilitation Research Center of Semnan University of Medical Sciences are included in the study.

Inclusion criteria in this study are complete satisfaction with participation in this study, age between 55 and 75, grade 2 and 3 knee osteoarthritis, visual analogue scale < 4. Exclusion criteria include acute symptomatic osteoarthritis, previous or concomitant injury to the knee and other lower limb joints, history of serious trauma, surgery and arthroplasty of the knee and other lower limb joints, history of knee intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid or steroid in the last 6 months, history of medical problems and chronic diseases, history of newly repaired fractures and bone implants, having a pacemaker under medical treatment, incomplete treatment and evaluation, whole body vibration training contraindication and a whole body vibration intolerance.

The control group will receive routine physiotherapy including TENS, Continuous US, hot packs and strengthening exercises three days a week for 4 weeks. In addition to routine physiotherapy, the intervention group will receive WBVT therapy sessions 3 days a week for 4 weeks at a frequency of 30 Hz and a 2 mm amplitude.

Active time, onset time and peak time during the static phase of the gate and RMS

In this study, Permuted block randomization will be used for randomization, which includes 4 blocks (2 participants in the intervention group and 2 participants in the control group). Random allocation software is also used for randomization tools. In order to create an allocation concealment, each random sequence created is recorded on a card and the cards are placed in sealed opaque envelopes, respectively. In order to maintain a random sequence, the envelopes are numbered in the same way on the outer surface. At the beginning of the registration of participants, according to the order of arrival, one of the envelopes is opened in order and the assigned group of that participant is identified.

In this study, blindness will be done in the participants. Participants from both groups will be admitted at different times for evaluation and intervention and will not be aware of the type of intervention of the other group.