Date of Award

2019

Degree Type

Selective Evidence-Based Medicine Review

Degree Name

Master of Science in Health Sciences - Physician Assistant

Department

Physician Assistant Studies

Department Chair

Laura Levy, DHSc, PA-C

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not whole body vibration (WBV) therapy improves balance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).

STUDY DESIGN: A review of three peer-reviewed studies published between 2013 and 2015.

DATA SOURCES: Two randomized controlled trials and one case series. Using PubMed and Google Scholar, studies were selected if they assessed the effects of whole body vibration therapy on improving balance in diabetic patients, and whether the outcomes were patient oriented.

UTCOMES MEASURED: The outcome measured in this study was balance, which was assessed using the Timed Up And Go test.

RESULTS: The study conducted by Del Pozo-Cruz J et al. did not find a statistically significant relationship between the improvement of balance in type 2 DM and WBV therapy (p value= 0.273).7 However, two separate studies by Kodi Yoosefinejad A et al. found a statistically significant relationship between WBV therapy and an improvement in balance of those with type 2 DM (p values= 0.002 and 0.004).8,9.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of these studies are inconclusive, as two studies found a statistically significant relationship and the other did not. Further studies on a larger amount of subjects need to be conducted to determine if the results are generalizable.

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