Effects of surface variability in whole-body vibration platform on knee osteoarthritis: A scoping review

Introduction Whole body vibration (WBV) has received much attention in recent years but there is a lack of consensus as far as its effects are concerned. It is usually applied on the stable surface but its effects on the unstable surface are also being explored. However, only a few studies have described the efficacy of using the unstable surface on WBV platform in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and this lack of information generates uncertainties regarding the efficacy of stable and unstable WBV training in KOA. Objective To identify the efficacy of stable and unstable surface WBV training in KOA. Methods Comprehensive searches, combining “whole body vibration”, “knee osteoarthritis”, and “unstable surface” were conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, Cochrane library, and Google Scholar. Randomized control trials focusing on outcomes of muscle activity, strength, proprioception, balance, and pain using unstable and stable platform WBV in KOA were included. Data were charted and narrative synthesis was applied. Results 17 studies were included. There is no consensus on the effects of stable surface WBV in KOA. Only limited studies used unstable platform WBVT in KOA. Majority of studies in KOA either using stable or unstable surface WBV failed to provide the exact mechanism of WBV. Conclusions Stable surface WBV improve strength, balance, sEMG activity, proprioception, and provide a mild degree of instability while higher degree of instability would be given when WBV is performed on an unstable surface and may positively stress the neuromuscular system to a greater extent than the stable WBV by various mechanisms.