The effect of whole-body vibration training on selected breast cancer risk factors in obese postmenopausal women: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Menopause is associated with various hormonal changes leading to many complications such as obesity, hot flashes and increased liability for breast cancer, that intractably alter female quality of life. This study was conducted to determine the effect of whole-body vibration training (WBVT) on body mass index and serum prolactin concentration, as risk factors for breast cancer and severity of hot flashes in obese postmenopausal women. A prospective, randomized, parallel group, active controlled study with a 1:1 allocation ratio was carried out. A total of 40 obese postmenopausal women (aged 50 to 60 years, postmenopausal for at least 3 years, with a body mass index BMI between 30-39.9 kg/m2) were randomly assigned into two equal groups (group A and B). Group A (WBVT, n = 20) received WBVT, 3 sessions per week for 3 months, while group B (control group, n = 20) was asked to retrain their usual lifestyle pattern. They were all instructed about healthy dieting. Statistical analysis was performed utilizing SPSS for windows, version 18 (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL). The results of our study showed that there was a statistically significant reduction in all measured variables in group A in post-study (p < 0.05), while the control group (B) showed a non-statistically significant decrease in these variables in comparison to the pre-study (p > 0.05). Comparison of the two groups after treatment showed a statistically significant decrease in the measured variables, in favor of the study group A (p < 0.05). From the obtained results, it was concluded that whole body vibration is effective in decreasing BMI and waist circumference, in addition to reducing serum prolactin concentration and the severity of hot flashes in obese postmenopausal women. Therefore, it could be used to decrease the risk of breast cancer in obese postmenopausal women.