Effect of whole body vibration on skin blood flow and nitric oxide production.
BACKGROUND
Vascular dysfunction due to hyperglycemia in individuals with diabetes is a factor contributing to distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSPN). Reactive oxygen species reduce the bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO), a powerful vasodilator, resulting in reduced circulation and nerve ischemia. Increases in blood NO concentrations and circulation have been attributed to whole body vibration (WBV). The purpose of this study was to the determine the effects of low-frequency, low-amplitude WBV on whole blood NO concentrations and skin blood flow (SBF) in individuals with symptoms of DSPN.


METHODS
Ten patients with diabetes and impaired sensory perception in the lower limbs participated in this crossover study. Each submitted to 2 treatment conditions, WBV and sham, with a 1-week washout period between. Blood draws for NO analysis and laser Doppler imager scans of SBF were performed before, immediately after, and following a 5-minute recovery of each of the treatments.


RESULTS
Low-frequency, low-amplitude WBV significantly increased SBF compared to the sham condition (F(2,18) = 5.82, P = .0115). Whole blood NO concentrations did not differ between the WBV and sham conditions immediately or 5 minutes after treatment (F(2,18) = 1.88, P = .1813).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings demonstrate that patients with diabetes respond to WBV with increased SBF compared to the sham condition. The implication is that WBV is a potential nonpharmacological therapy for neurovascular complications of diabetes.
['Johnson|Paula K|PK|', 'Feland|J Brent|JB|', 'Johnson|A Wayne|AW|', 'Mack|Gary W|GW|', 'Mitchell|Ulrike H|UH|']
D000368:Aged D000369:Aged, 80 and over D018592:Cross-Over Studies D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D003920:Diabetes Mellitus D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D009569:Nitric Oxide D012039:Regional Blood Flow D012867:Skin D014732:Vibration
whole body vibration skin blood flow nitric oxide diabetes neuropathy