SynthesisPloS one2025
Effects of whole-body vibration training as an adjunct to conventional rehabilitation exercise on pain, physical function and disability in knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Effects of whole-body vibration training on inflammatory markers and lipid profiles in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Frontiers in immunology · 2025Pooled it
- Pooled it
- Vacuum-Compression Therapy as an Adjunct to Physical Therapy in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Comparative Study.Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Effect of warm reinforcing acupuncture combined with whole-body vibration training on knee joint function and inflammatory factors in stroke patients with knee osteoarthritis.American journal of translational research · 2026Article
- Physical modalities for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a network meta-analysis.Aging clinical and experimental research · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundKnee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a prevalent degenerative joint condition that impairs mobility and quality of life. While whole-body vibration training (WBVT) shows promise as an adjunct to conventional KOA rehabilitation, its efficacy remains unclear due to inconsistent clinical evidence.
objectiveTo elucidate the combined effects of WBVT and rehabilitation exercise on pain, physical function, and disability in KOA management through a systematic review and meta-analysis.
methodsA comprehensive search was conducted across eight electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, PEDro, SPORTDiscus, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure) up to February 2024. Inclusion criteria were (i) randomized controlled trials comparing combined WBVT and rehabilitation exercise versus rehabilitation alone in KOA (ii) reported clinical outcomes (iii) human studies, and (iv) publications in English or Chinese. Trial quality was assessed using the PEDro scale and Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. The meta-analysis employed random-effects models in Review Manager 5.3 to account for heterogeneity, supported by sensitivity analyses for robustness and subgroup analyses on WBVT frequency effects.
resultsSixteen RCTs comprising 589 participants were included. The systematic review found that WBVT combined with conventional rehabilitation significantly reduced pain and improved physical function in KOA patients. The meta-analysis quantified these effects, showing that WBVT significantly (i) reduced knee pain (MD = -0.43, 95% CI [-0.70, -0.16], p = 0.002), with greater reductions observed from high-frequency WBVT, and (ii) increased isokinetic knee peak torque compared to rehabilitation exercise alone. No significant differences were found in balance, functional mobility, and disability outcomes. Sensitivity analysis of high-quality trials supported these results. However, the heterogeneity among studies and variations in control group interventions warrant cautious interpretation.
conclusionWBVT seems to be effective in reducing pain and enhancing muscle strength in KOA patients when used in conjunction with conventional rehabilitation. Future high-quality RCTs must standardize WBVT protocols, emphasize long-term follow-up, and refine dosage for clinically meaningful outcomes. Systematic review registration: International prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO CRD42024508386).
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.