Effectiveness of Whole-Body Vibration Training on Pain, Muscle Strength and Dynamic Balance among Postmenopausal Women with Osteoarthritis of Knee

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the single most common cause of disability in older adults. The WBV exercise is a useful modality and safe method for rehabilitation in the patients who are unable to participate in active modalities because of severe disability according to advancing age and progression of knee OA. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To find out the Effect of Whole Body Vibration Training on Pain, Muscle Strength and Dynamic Balance among Post-Menopausal women with Osteoarthritis of Knee. METHODOLOGY: 30 menopausal women with Knee Osteoarthritis were assessed and selected for the study who satisfies the inclusion criteria were assigned into two groups of 15 subjects each: Group A- Experimental Group underwent a protocol with Whole-Body Vibration Training along with Conventional exercises and Group B-Control Group was treated with only Conventional exercises and performed it for 7 days (30 min/day). The outcome measures were Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Modified Sphygmomanometer Test (MST), Timed Up to Go Test (TUGT). Using these outcome measures pre-test and post-test value were obtained. RESULT: In Experimental group, the Pain has reduced (p=0.000), the Hamstring muscle strength has increased (p = 0.002), the Quadriceps muscle strength has increased (p= 0.004), the Dynamic balance has increased (p = 0.012) than in Control group. On comparing the difference in the results between the groups, the Pain (p = 0.008) and Quadriceps Muscle Strength (p = 0.12) in Experimental group showed greater change from the control group. CONCLUSION: In this study, it is concluded that WBVT is better in pain reduction and quadriceps muscle strength when compared to the control group.