PTOTOtherNeuroRehabilitation2023

Exaggerated pressor response to static squats in Parkinson's disease (PD) and healthy subjects is likely an individual trait, not influenced by whole body vibration (WBV).

Wiktor Niewiadomski, Anna Gąsiorowska, Marek Żyliński and 3 others

PMID 36641689

WHAT IT FOUND

Whole body vibration did not increase blood pressure during squats in people with Parkinson's.

The rise in blood pressure was an individual trait, ranging from 10 mmHg in some to 50 mmHg in others, regardless of the vibration.

Key findings

01Vibration did not increase systolic blood pressure response in healthy subjects compared to exercises without vibration.

02The magnitude of the blood pressure rise during squats was an individual trait, with strong responders showing a 50 mmHg increase and weak responders a 10 mmHg increase.

03The exaggerated blood pressure response was driven by an increase in pulse pressure, not heart rate.

STILL TO COME

How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs

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What it does not show

The study did not measure stroke volume or splanchnic blood flow, so the mechanism for the blood pressure rise (pulse pressure increase) is a hypothesis based on indirect data. The sample size was small (24 PD patients, 12 controls). The healthy control group was younger and predominantly female compared to the PD group.

Declared interests

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

The easy way to misread this

Do not assume that the absence of a vibration effect means static squats are cardiovascularly safe for all patients. The study found that some individuals experience a massive blood pressure spike (50 mmHg) during the squat itself, independent of vibration.

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