Whole-Body Vibration Therapy for Osteoporosis - Technical Brief - Final | AHRQ Effective Health Care Program

Evidence is Weak on Whole-Body Vibration Therapy for Osteoporosis Little scientific evidence is available to evaluate the benefits and harms of whole-body vibration therapy for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, and claims about its effectiveness cannot be made without further research, a new report from AHRQ’s Effective Health Care Program finds. Whole-Body Vibration Therapy for Osteoporosis compares the current body of research on this treatment and identifies key questions for future research. Osteoporosis is a significant public health problem that leads to increased bone fragility and greater fracture risk, especially of the wrist, hip, and spine. In the United States an estimated 1.5 million yearly fractures due to osteoporosis result in more than 500,000 hospitalizations, 800,000 emergency room visits, 2.6 million physician office visits, and 180,000 nursing home placements. By 2020, approximately half of all older Americans will be at risk for fractures from osteoporosis or osteopenia, a condition that can progress to osteoporosis.
Whole-Body Vibration Therapy for Osteoporosis - Technical Brief - Final AHRQ Effective Health Care Program