Musculoskeletal and cognitive effects of stochastic resonance whole body vibration: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Introduction: We investigated the acute musculoskeletaland cognitive effects of stochastic resonance whole-bodyvibration (SR-WBV). To our knowledge, no study looked atthe effects of SR-WBV on inhibitory control so far. Materialsand Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, participantswere randomly allocated into a verum (6 Hz, SR-WBV)or sham (2 Hz, SR-WBV) condition. Inhibitory control wasmeasured with the Stroop Test before and after the exercise.Also, muscle stiffness, muscle relaxation, sense of balanceand surefootedness were assessed in a questionnaire beforeand after the exercise. Results: Inhibitory control increasedsignificantly after verum SR-WBV (t = 2.949, P = 0.018), butnot after sham SR-WBV (t = 1.165, P = 0.252). Muscle stiffnessdecreased significantly after verum (t = 5.273, P < 0.000), butnot after sham SR-WBV (t = 1.533, P = 0.135). Also, musclerelaxation increased significantly after verum (t = -2.879, P =0.007), but not after sham SR-WBV (t = -1.650, P = 0.108). Senseof balance increased significantly after verum (t = -2.061, P =0.047), but not after sham SR-WBV (t = 0.347, P = 0.730). Nosignificant effect was found in surefootedness, whether afterverum (t = -0.966, P = 0.341) nor after sham SR-WBV (t = 0.849,P = 0.402). Conclusions: SR-WBV seems to be an appropriatemethod to improve not only physiological measurements butnewly also cognition, i.e. inhibitory control. In this study wecould show that SR-WBV exercise reduces interference andincreases inhibitory control in a young and healthy sample.Keywords: Stochastic resonance whole body vibration (SRWBV);Musculoskeletal effects; Cognitive effects; Inhibitorycontrol; Randomized controlled trial.