Ya-Fei Yang, Chiu-Ching Huang, Chia-Ming Chang, Hsiu-Chen Lin
Department of Nephrology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
DOI: 10.2340/20030711-1000045

Objective: To evaluate the effect of whole-body vibration training on working-age people on haemodialysis.
Design: Consecutive case series study.
Subjects: Seventeen working-age participants on maintenance haemodialysis were enrolled.
Methods: A 12-week whole-body vibration training programme, including different postures, was designed. The study evaluated and compared phys-ical fitness, including a list of tests such as the 5-repetition sit-to-stand test, hand grip test, 2-min step test, and 8-foot up-and-go test; modified Berg -balance scale; static and dynamic balance function; and quality of life, using a quality of life question-naire before and after the training.
Results: All physical fitness parameters, except grip strength on the left side, improved after whole--body vibration training. For balance, the modified Berg balance scale demonstrated enhanced scores for equilibrium, with eyes closed on a stable surface and eyes open on an unstable surface, and movement velocity under the fast condition along the left and right directions (p=0. 011). No signif-icant improvements in quality of life were found.
Conclusion: Whole-body vibration exercise training enhanced physical fitness and static and dynamic balance control in working-age participants on haemodialysis.

This study designed a series of exercises in different postures on a whole-body vibration machine for individ-uals on maintenance haemodialysis and evaluated the changes in their physical fitness, postural control and quality of life before and after a 12-week programme. Seventeen working-age participants on maintenance haemodialysis were enrolled and completed the whole--body vibration training programme. There were no significant changes in the scores on the quality of life questionnaire for multifactorial aspects. However, the physical fitness parameters, including a list of tests, such as the 5-repetition sit-to-stand test, hand grip test of right side, 2-min step test and 8-foot up-and-go test, improved after the whole-body vibration training. Their postural control also demonstrated improvements in the modified Berg balance scale, equilibrium scores with eyes closed on a stable surface and eyes open on an unstable surface, and movement velocity under the fast condition along the left and right directions.