Abstract: Objective To evaluate the effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) training on low extremity muscle strength and mobility in older adults by a meta-analysis. Methods Articles were searched from Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, EMbase, Elsevier, CBMdisc, Wanfang database and CNKI database, and the reference list of each eligible article were also included. Randomized controlled trials which investigated the effect of WBV on mobility and low extremity muscle strength were included in this article. The methodological quality of each selected article was rated by the Jadad Scale. The data on patients' characteristics, type of WBV intervention and outcomes were extracted. A meta-analysis was then performed. Results 15 randomized controlled trials involving 803 subjects were included finally. 8 were considered to have good or excellent methodological quality and the rest was rated as fair. Meta-analyses revealed that WBV had a significant treatment effect on leg extension isometric strength (MD=10.11, 95% CI 0.46- 19.76), knee extension dynamic strength (MD=7.98, 95%CI 2.60-13.36), and functional measures of mobility such as performance in Timed-Up-and-Go test (MD=1.39, 95% CI 0.73-2.04), and performance in five times sit to stand test (MD=1.62, 95%CI 0.25-2.98) (P<0.05), whereas no significant treatment effect on walk speed (MD=0.02, 95%CI -0.06-0.10) and Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (MD=1.19, 95%CI -0.62-3.00) (P> 0.05), among older adults compared with the control group. Conclusion WBV may be effective on improving the low extremity muscle strength and mobility among older adults.

Key words: whole-body vibration, muscle strength, mobility, low extremity, elderly, Meta-analysis, randomized controlled trials