Effects of 12-week whole-body vibration exercise on fatigue, functional ability and quality of life in women with systemic lupus erythematosus: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex rheumatic autoimmune disease characterized by periods of exacerbations that can present damage in organs with important clinical manifestations. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 12-week whole-body vibration exercise (WBVE) on the fatigue, functional ability and quality of life of women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in chronic glucocorticoids use (CGU). Methods: Twenty-one women were allocated randomly in the WBVE group or isometry group. The participants of WBVE group were positioned on the vibrating platform with 130° knee flexion and received the intervention twice a week for 12 weeks. The isometry group performed the same position and time, but without the stimulus of mechanical vibration. Fatigue, functional ability and the quality of life were evaluated at weeks 0, 6, and 12. Results: From a sample of seventy-seven individuals, seventeen participants completed the study, 8 in WBVE group and 9 in isometry group. Fatigue reduced in the WBVE group at 6 and 12 weeks of intervention (p = 0.04) and (p = 0.03) respectively. There was a significant improvement in the functional ability evaluated by the Health Assessment Questionnaire in the WBVE group compared to the isometry group (p = 0.03). Conclusion: WBVE would be a useful intervention for control of fatigue and improvement of the functional ability of women with SLE in CGU.