Rehabilitation effects of whole-body vibration training combined with blood flow restriction training on sarcopenia in older adults: A randomized prospective study

OBJECTIVE: Considering sarcopenia's major health threat to older adults and the limited efficacy of current treatments, this study aims to unveil the rehabilitation effects of whole-body vibration training (WBVT) combined with blood flow restriction (BFR) training on older patients with sarcopenia. METHODS: This study is a randomized controlled experiment. Seventy-four older patients with sarcopenia were randomly split into observation and control groups (37 each). Both groups received nutrition support; the control group underwent conventional rehabilitation, whereas the observation group underwent an additional 6-week WBVT and BFR training. Outcomes included skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), appendicular SMI (ASMI), grip strength, 6-min walk test (6MWT), self-care ability (Short Physical Performance Battery Score [SPPB]), and daily living ability (Activity of Daily Living Scale [ADL]). RESULTS: After the intervention, SMI and ASMI increased, with higher values in the observation group (P < 0.05); 6MWT and grip strength improved in both groups, with higher values in the observation group (P < 0.05); and SPPB and ADL scores increased in both groups, with higher scores in the observation group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: WBVT combined with BFR training effectively enhances muscle strength, improves motor function, and increases the quality of life in older patients with sarcopenia.