The Effects of Whole Body Vibration on Bone Mineral Density for a Person With a Spinal Cord Injury: A Case Study

Ronald Davis, Texas Woman's University
Charlotte Sanborn, Texas Woman's University
David Nichols, Texas Woman's University
David M. Bazett-Jones, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Eric Dugan, Boise State University

Abstract

Bone mineral density (BMD) loss is a medical concern for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Concerns related to osteoporosis have lead researchers to use various interventions to address BMD loss within this population. Whole body vibration (WBV) has been reported to improve BMD for postmenopausal women and suggested for SCI. The purpose of this case study was to identify the effects of WBV on BMD for an individual with SCI. There were three progressive phases (standing only, partial standing, and combined stand with vibration), each lasting 10 weeks. Using the least significant change calculation, significant positive changes in BMD were reported at the trunk (0.46 g/cm²) and spine (.093 g/cm²) for phase 3 only. Increases in leg lean tissue mass and reduction in total body fat were noted in all three phases.