The Effects of 20 Weeks of Side-Alternating Vibration Therapy on Physical Function, Bone and Muscle Health in Adolescents with Down Syndrome

Abstract

Aims

To evaluate the effects of side-alternating vibration therapy on physical function and body composition in adolescents with Down syndrome.

Methods

Fourteen adolescents (8 males) with Down syndrome (mean ± SD age: 15.5 ± 2.3 years) performed vibration treatment nine minutes daily, four times per week, for 20 weeks on a Galileo vibration platform. Data were collected at baseline and after 20 weeks of intervention. Assessments included six-minute walk test, muscle function (force plate), whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and peripheral quantitative computed tomography of the non-dominant tibia.

Results

After 20 weeks, participants increased their distance walked in the six-minute walk test (p = 0.009), 2-leg single jump efficiency (p = 0.024) and jump velocity (p = 0.046). Participants also increased their power (p = 0.034) and reduced the time taken during the chair rise test (p < 0.001). At the total body level, increases were seen in bone mineral density (p = 0.004), bone mineral content (p = 0.043), fat free mass (p = 0.013) and lean mass (p = 0.021).

Conclusion

Side-alternating vibration therapy was associated with increases in physical function and muscle mass with no effects on bone health in adolescents with Down syndrome.

Clinical Trial Registration number

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12615000092594) – registered on 4^th February 2015.

Keywords:

• Bone
• down syndrome
• muscle
• physical function
• vibration plate

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our gratitude to the physiotherapists and staff at Waitakere College, Rutherford College, Takapuna College and Lincoln Heights School for their invaluable assistance with this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Jubilee Trust and Sir David Levine grants.

Notes on contributors

Silmara Gusso

Silmara Gusso is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Exercise Sciences at the University of Auckland.

Renuka M. Vesey

Renuka M. Vesey is a research assistant at the Liggins Institute at the University of Auckland.

José G. B. Derraik

José G. B. Derrraik is an honorary Research Fellow at the Liggins Institute at the University of Auckland.

Craig F. Munns

Craig F. Munns is a Professor in Paediatric Endocrinology at the University of Sydney.

Patricia Colle

Patricia Colle is a research assistant at the Liggins Institute at The University of Auckland.

Janene B. Biggs

Janene B.Biggs is a research nurse at the Liggins Institute at the University of Auckland.

Paul L. Hofman

Paul L. Hofman i s a Professor in Paediatric Endocrinology at the Liggins Institute at the University of Auckland.