This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of whole-body vibration training (WBVT) on blood brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and determine the clinical and functional outcomes in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Thirty-two women with FMS were randomized into an intervention group (IG), receiving 6 weeks of WBVT, or a control group (CG) with no intervention. The outcomes at the baseline and follow-up in both groups included blood BDNF levels, sit-to-stand test (STS), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and visual analogue scale (VAS). WBVT resulted in a group-by-time interaction effect. Thus, after the intervention time, the IG had increased blood BDNF levels ( ), a higher number of repetitions on the STS test ( ), and increased walking distance on the 6MWT ( ), compared to CG. Moreover, there was a reduction in the scores of the FIQ ( ), the PSQI ( ), the BDI ( ), and pain assessed using VAS ( ) in IG. The results demonstrate that WBVT promotes an increase in blood BDNF levels, with concomitant improvement in lower limb muscle strength, aerobic capacity, clinical symptoms, and quality of life in women with FMS. This trial is registered with Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (REBEC; RBR-38nbbx) (https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-38nbbx).

(1) Background: Mitochondrial dysfunction and redox imbalance seem to be involved in fibromyalgia (FM) pathogenesis. The results of our previous studies suggest that whole-body vibration training (WBVT) would improve redox status markers, increase blood irisin levels, and ameliorate the body composition of women with FM. (2) Objective: The current study aimed to investigate WBVT on oxidative stress markers, plasma irisin levels, and body composition in women with FM. (3) Methods: Forty women with FM were randomized into WBVT or untrained (UN) groups. Before and after 6 weeks of WBVT, body composition was assessed by dual-energy radiological absorptiometry (DXA), and inflammatory marker activities were measured by enzymatic assay. (4) Results: Body composition, blood irisin levels, and oxidative stress markers were similar between UN and WBVT groups before the intervention. After 6 weeks of intervention, the WBVT group presented higher irisin levels (WBVT: 316.98 ± 109.24 mg·dL³, WBVT: 477.61 ± 267.92 mg·dL³, p = 0.01) and lower TBARS levels (UN: 0.39 ± 0.02 nmol MDA/mg protein, WBVT: 0.24 ± 0.06 nmol MDA/mg protein, p = 0.001) and visceral adipose tissue mass (UN: 1.37 ± 0.49 kg, WBVT: 0.69 ± 0.54 kg, p = 0.001) compared to the UN group. (5) Conclusions: Six weeks of WBVT improves blood redox status markers, increases irisin levels, and reduces visceral adipose tissue mass, favoring less cell damage and more outstanding oxidative balance in women with FM.

(1) The evidence points to an increase in oxygen reactive species as one of the possible causes of fibromyalgia (FM). In addition, it is plausible that an imbalance in redox markers can be associated with pain amplification and dynapenia in FM patients. The aim of our study was to investigate possible factors associated with muscle pain and lean body mass in FM patients. (2) Methods: This was a quantitative, exploratory and cross-sectional study of 47 patients with FM (53.45 + 7.32 years). We evaluated self-perceptions of muscle pain, lean body mass, body composition, quality of life, sleep quality, depression index, muscle performance and oxidative stress biomarkers. (3) Results: We observed that lower blood levels of antioxidants and poor quality of life explained 21% of the greater muscle pain. In addition, high blood levels of oxidative stress, worse muscle performance and poor quality of life explained 27% of the lower lean mass in patients with FM. (4) Conclusions: Larger amounts of lipid peroxidation and reductions in antioxidant levels, in addition to lower muscle performance and poor life quality, are possible independent contributors to greater muscle pain and lower lean body mass in FM patients.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of whole body vibration (WBV) exercise on oxidative stress markers in a group of women with fibromyalgia (FM) compared to a group of healthy women (CT). Twenty-one women diagnosed with FM and 21 age- and weight-matched healthy women were enrolled the study. Plasma oxidative stress markers (primary outcomes) were evaluated at rest and after WBV, and included thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), iron reduction capacity (FRAP), superoxide dismutase antioxidant enzymes activity (SOD), and catalase (CAT). At rest, the FM group had higher TBARS (P<0.001) and FRAP (P<0.001), and lower CAT (P=0.005) compared to the CT. In the CT group, the WBV had no effect on TBARS (P=0.559) and FRAP (P=0.926), whereas it increased both SOD (P<0.001) and CAT (P<0.001). In the FM group, the WBV reduced TBARS (p <0.001), FRAP (P<0.001), and CAT (P=0.005), while it increased SOD (P=0.019). There was an interaction effect (moments vs groups) in the TBARS (effect size=1.34), FRAP (effect size=0.93), CAT (effect size=1.45), and SOD (effect size=1.44) (P<0.001). A single trial of WBV exercise improved all oxidant and antioxidant parameters towards a greater adaptation to the stress response in FM women.

Objective. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes progressive changes in the musculoskeletal system compromising neuromuscular control especially in the hands. Whole‐body vibration (WBV) could be an alternative for the rehabilitation in this population. This study investigated the immediate effect of WBV while in the modified push‐up position on neural ratio (NR) in a single session during handgrip strength (HS) in women with stable RA. Methods. Twenty‐one women with RA (diagnosis of disease: ±8 years, erythrocyte sedimentation rate: ±24.8, age: 54± 11 years, BMI: 28 ± 4 kg·m^-2) received three experimental interventions for five minutes in a randomized and balanced cross‐over order: (1) control—seated with hands at rest, (2) sham—push‐up position with hands on the vibration platform that remained disconnected, and (3) vibration—push‐up position with hands on the vibration platform turned on (45 Hz, 2 mm, 159.73 m·s^-2). At the baseline and immediately after the three experimental interventions, the HS, the electromyographic records (EMGrms), and range of motion (ROM) of the dominant hand were measured. The NR, i.e., the ratio between EMGrms of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) muscle and HS, was also determined. The lower NR represented the greater neuromuscular efficiency (NE). Results. The NR was similar at baseline in the three experimental interventions. Despite the nonsignificance of within‐interventions (p = 0.0611) and interaction effect (p = 0.1907), WBV exercise reduced the NR compared with the sham and control (p = 0.0003, F = 8.86, η² = 0.85, power = 1.00). Conclusion. Acute WBV exercise under the hands promotes neuromuscular modifications during the handgrip of women with stable RA. Thus, acute WBV exercise may be used as a preparatory exercise for the rehabilitation of the hands in this population. This trial is registered with trial registration 2.544.850 (ReBEC‐RBR‐2n932c).

Aims: The present study was designed to investigate the dose-response relationship of muscular performance and anaerobic power to whole-body vibration (WBV). Methods: Nine recreationally males were subjected to five experimental conditions: A) Squat exercise (SE) without WBV; B) WBV1 [31.55 m.s-2]; C) WBV2 [159.73 m.s-2]; (D) WBV3 [319.45 m.s-2]; and E) WBV4 [567.91 m.s-2]. Before and after the experimental procedures, muscle performance was assessed by a vertical jump test and handgrip strength test and anaerobic power by Wingate anaerobic test (WT). Results: WBV2 and WBV3 increased jump relative power [Δ=0.92 ± 0.89 W/Kg (+1.97%) and Δ=1.29 ±1.79 W/Kg (+2.77%), respectively; P=0.02; effect size= 0.92; power= 0.87] and height [Δ=0.96 ± 0.73 cm (2.80%) and Δ=1.61 ± 2.36 cm (4,57%), respectively; P= < 0.01; effect size= 0.96; power= 0.99] compared to the SE [Δ=-1.28 ± 0.81 cm (-3.55%)]. There was no dose-response relationship of handgrip strength to WBV. WBV2 improved WT relative power (power/body weight) compared to the other experimental conditions [Δ= 0.61 ± 0.36 W/Kg (+ 5.25%); P < 0.01; ; effect size= 0.98; power= 0.99], and WT relative work was higher in WBV3 [Δ= 1.86 ± 5.46 KJ/Kg (+ 0.70%)condition compared to WBV1[Δ= -6.71 ± 4.03 KJ/Kg (- 2.49%) ( P= 0.03). Conclusion: These results suggest that lower limb muscular performance and anaerobic power are responsive to vibration accelerations WBV2 (159.73 m.s-2) and WBV3 (319.45 m.s-2).