Rehabilitation effects of whole-body vibration training combined with blood flow restriction training on sarcopenia in older adults: A randomized prospective study

Abstract

Objective: Considering sarcopenia's major health threat to older adults and the limited efficacy of current treatments, this study aims to unveil the rehabilitation effects of whole-body vibration training (WBVT) combined with blood flow restriction (BFR) training on older patients with sarcopenia.

Methods: This study is a randomized controlled experiment. Seventy-four older patients with sarcopenia were randomly split into observation and control groups (37 each). Both groups received nutrition support; the control group underwent conventional rehabilitation, whereas the observation group underwent an additional 6-week WBVT and BFR training. Outcomes included skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), appendicular SMI (ASMI), grip strength, 6-min walk test (6MWT), self-care ability (Short Physical Performance Battery Score [SPPB]), and daily living ability (Activity of Daily Living Scale [ADL]).

Results: After the intervention, SMI and ASMI increased, with higher values in the observation group (P < 0.05); 6MWT and grip strength improved in both groups, with higher values in the observation group (P < 0.05); and SPPB and ADL scores increased in both groups, with higher scores in the observation group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: WBVT combined with BFR training effectively enhances muscle strength, improves motor function, and increases the quality of life in older patients with sarcopenia.

Keywords: blood flow restriction training; elderly sarcopenia; muscle strength; quality of life; rehabilitation effects; whole‐body vibration training.