Effect of Whole-Body Vibration Technology in Preventing Fall Incidence: A Review

Falls initiated by slips or trips are a significant safety and health concern to older adults causing fatal and non-fatal injuries. This study analytically overviews the status of research and practices on the effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) technology as an advanced exercise method for fall prevention in the elderly. Search keywords and phrases extensively cover relevant literature through the databases of PubMed, SCOPUS, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and ResearchGate to find answers for the critical questions on WBV practices. A thorough review analysis recognises whether the outcome of adapting WBV exercises to conventional ones will give positive results in improving balance and preventing fall incidents amongst independently living community-dwelling older adults. Findings from this review study suggest that tactile vibration stimulation with WBV could improve age-related disorders in balance function. It is also anticipated that adopting such innovative technology with standard exercise programs may benefit the prevention of elderly falls.