A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Whole Body Vibration Therapy With Usual Care and Usual Care to Improve Muscle Health in Older Adults

NCT07205133 | Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: ECOS Ref: 2025-0362AM/AG001/2025 (SRDUKAMR25G1)
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study is a randomized controlled trial where participants would be randomly assigned to one of 2 groups. One group would receive Whole body vibration therapy and usual care and the other group only usual care. Measurements of muscle mass, strength and function would be taken before the interventions, and at 2 other points after interventions. Differences in the outcomes between the two groups would be analysed.

Conditions

Aging; Frailty; Sarcopenia; Muscle Strength; Muscle Function; Muscle Mass

Keywords

Aging; Frailty; Sarcopenia; Whole Body Vibration Therapy; Muscle Strength; Muscle Function; Muscle Mass

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Isometric Knee Extension Strength

  Measured using a JTech Medical, Northstar Echo Muscle Tester with subject seated with knee flexed at 90 degrees and hanging, muscle tester is placed at the ventral surface of the ankle between malleoli and subject instructed to push against tester with maximal effort to extend the knee. Best of three trials would be taken.

  Baseline and 2 weeks after intervention and 3 months after intervention

Secondary Outcomes (10)

• Hand Grip Strength

  Baseline and at 2 weeks post intervention and 3 months post intervention

• Appendicular Skeletal Mass Index

  Baseline and at 2 weeks post intervention and 3 months post intervention

• Gait Speed

  Baseline and at 2 weeks post intervention and 3 months post intervention

• 5-timed chair stands

  Baseline and at 2 weeks post intervention and 3 months post intervention

• Calf Circumference

  Baseline and at 2 weeks post intervention and 3 months post intervention

Other Outcomes (3)

• Participant Surveys

  2 weeks post intervention up to 3 months post intervention

• Exercise adherence

  During 4 weeks intervention period

• Semi-structured interviews

  2 weeks post intervention up to 3 months post intervention

Study Arms (2)

Whole Body Vibration Training

EXPERIMENTAL

The WBVT would be conducted using the Galileo Vibration machine (Galileo® S 35), for 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks. The participants would be progressed in terms of (i)vibration frequency from 15 Hz to at least 25 Hz (maximum 30 Hz for those who can tolerate) (ii)for the angles of their squats (from an approximate starting point of 20 degrees ("mini squats" to 45 degrees "quarter squats"; maximum to 90 degrees-thighs parallel to ground or "half-squats" for those who can tolerate); as well as (iii) increasing number of each 1-minute set (from 6 to 8 sets), while standing on the WBVT machine barefoot with both feet flat on the platform set at an amplitude of 2-3mm (according to the participant's height and body physique) with variable rest breaks (up to 1 minute) between each set for a total of 15 minutes each training session. Any missed session would be recorded. To ensure compliance, the subjects would receive a standard phone-call/text reminder prior to the scheduled session.

Other: Whole Body Vibration Training; Other: Otago Exercise

Usual Care

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants from both arms would also be provided the exercise sheet on "Otago exercises" (30)and demonstrated in one session how to perform the exercises. In-person demonstration of the "Otago exercises" would be done upon recruitment by trained study team members, at the visit for baseline measurements and a return-demonstration would be done after. They would be instructed to perform the Otago exercises daily according to the standardized instructions stated and progressed from 10 to 15 repetitions on their own for at least 3 times a week and advised to also continue other aerobic exercises, for example, brisk walking. Participants would be given an exercise and falls diary to record their exercise participation as well as any falls that occurred during the study duration for up to 3 months.

Other: Otago Exercise

Interventions

Whole Body Vibration Training OTHER

Information already included in arm/group descriptions.

Whole Body Vibration Training

Otago Exercise OTHER

Usual Care

Usual Care; Whole Body Vibration Training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Healthy Volunteer or Patients aged 65 and above,
• Clinical frailty Scale (CFS) score of 3-4,
• Independently ambulating without any aid
• willingness and consent to participate in the study and ability to travel to the study-site for the measurements and interventions, and
• participants with no regular exercise habits (defined as less than 150mins/week of moderate intensity aerobic exercise and less than twice a week of strengthening exercises)for past 3 months.

You may not qualify if:

• current active enrolment into any Day Rehab or community exercise program,
• contraindications to WBVT machine usage (see below),
• diagnosis of dementia,
• history of Diabetes Mellitus
• BMI ≤20kg/m2,
• recent hospital admissions within the last 3 months,
• end stage organ failure,
• chronic diseases which are not well managed, for example, poorly controlled hypertension,
• New York Heart Association (NYHA) score II and above for patients with history of heart failure and
• MUST Score ≥1.
• Contraindications to WBVT:
• PRIMARY CONTRAINDICATIONS TO WBVT
• Pregnancy
• Acute thrombosis (acute vascular occlusion)
• Artificial joints in stimulated body regions

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Changi General Hospital: lead
• BMEC Pte Ltd: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Changi General Hospital

Singapore, Singapore

RECRUITING

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Related Links

• Ministry of Health Singapore. MOH Frailty Strategy Policy Report \[Internet\]. \[cited 2024 Sep 5\]
• Ministry of Health Singapore. National Population Healthy Survey 2022 \[Internet\]. \[cited 2024 Sep 5\]
• Ministry of Health Singapore. The White Paper on Healthier SG \[Internet\]. \[cited 2024 Sep 5\]

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Frailty; Sarcopenia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Muscular Atrophy; Neuromuscular Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Atrophy; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Signs and Symptoms

Central Study Contacts

Christine Yuanxin Chen, MBBS

CONTACT

+65-9030 4976; christine.chen.y.x@singhealth.com.sg

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Doctor

Model Details: Randomized Controlled Trial

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 25, 2025
• First Posted: October 3, 2025
• Study Start: January 10, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): March 31, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): March 31, 2027
• Last Updated: April 15, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

SG (1)