The effect of whole body vibration therapy on the physical function of people with type II diabetes mellitus: a systematic review.

Only five articles from four studies were included, so the review cannot settle the question. Only one study was considered good quality on the PEDro scale, and the rest were fair. The studies did not blind subjects or therapists, and only some had blind assessors. None of the studies used intention-to-treat analysis. The vibration settings, exercise programmes and participant groups varied widely, so more quantitative analyses could not be performed. The Timed Up and Go result had strong heterogeneity, so it does not give a clear estimate of effect. The review excluded non-English studies and some missing or unpublished data, which may have biased the result. The review did not find evidence for long-term effects.

Do not conclude that whole-body vibration alone improves physical function in type 2 diabetes. Several trials gave vibration together with exercise or balance training, and the review says the evidence is inconclusive.