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Volume 14
Issue 12
10.3390/healthcare14121723
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Study Protocol

Effects of Systemic Vibratory Therapy Combined with a Physical Activity Program in Older Adults on Fall Risk, Balance, Physical Conditioning, and Neuromuscular Variables: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

by
Alexandre Gonçalves de Meirelles
1,
Ygor Teixeira da Silva
1,
Julio Cesar de Oliveira Muniz Cunha
1,
Luis Leitão
2,3,4,
Leandro Alberto Calazans Nogueira
1,5,
José Vilaça-Alves
6,7,
Mário Bernardo Filho
8,
Igor Ramathur Telles de Jesus
1 and
Estêvão Rios Monteiro
1,*
1
Graduate Program in Rehabilitation Science, Centro Universitário Augusto Motta (PPGCR/UNISUAM), Rio de Janeiro 21032-060, Brazil
2
Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal, Escola Superior de Educação, CIEQV, 2910-761 Setúbal, Portugal
3
Life Quality Research Centre (CIEQV), 2910-761 Setúbal, Portugal
4
Research Centre in Sports, Health and Human Development (CIDESD), 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
5
Physiotherapy Department, Federal Institute of Rio de Janeiro (IFRJ), Rio de Janeiro 21710-240, Brazil
6
Department of Sports Sciences, Exercise and Health, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
7
Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
8
Laboratório de Vibrações Mecânicas e Práticas Integrativas, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 20950-003, Brazil
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Healthcare 2026, 14(12), 1723; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14121723 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 5 May 2026 / Revised: 5 June 2026 / Accepted: 12 June 2026 / Published: 15 June 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Exercise Pillar in Cardiocerebral Health: From Prevention to Improved Outcomes)
Review Reports Versions Notes

Abstract

Introduction: Population aging is a growing and challenging phenomenon, primarily due to its association with functional decline and sarcopenia, which increase the risk of falls. These events have significant impacts on public health and the quality of life of older adults. Regular physical activity has shown benefits in reducing falls and their consequences, with systemic vibratory therapy (SVT) emerging as a promising strategy to mitigate these adverse outcomes. However, evidence on the actual effectiveness of this therapeutic approach remains limited, as does clarity regarding optimal body position, protocol parameters, and equipment when combined with physical activity programs. Objectives: To compare the effect of systemic vibratory therapy (SVT) associated with a physical activity program on the perception of fear of falling in older adults (M01.060.116.100). As secondary outcomes, the study will assess functional physical conditioning, electromyographic activity, muscular synergy, and center of pressure oscillation in this population. Methods: A randomized controlled clinical trial with blinded outcome assessors and blinded statistical analysis will be conducted with 192 older adults participating in the UNATI/UNISUAM program. Participants will be allocated into three groups: (A) usual physical activity; (B) usual physical activity + SVT in a semi-squat position; and (C) usual physical activity + SVT in a seated position. Assessments will include sociodemographic data, concern about falling assessed using the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), physical performance (2 min stationary march test), surface electromyography of the tibialis anterior and medial gastrocnemius muscles, along with posturography using a force platform. Results: This study will provide information on outcomes related to fall risk, balance, physical fitness, and neuromuscular variables in older adults undergoing two distinct SVT protocols. Clinical Trials Registration: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials RBR-68pry5j. Registered on 8 December 2025.
Keywords: fall risk prevention; older adults; physiotherapy in older adults; physical activities in older adult; whole-body vibration training fall risk prevention; older adults; physiotherapy in older adults; physical activities in older adult; whole-body vibration training

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MDPI and ACS Style

de Meirelles, A.G.; da Silva, Y.T.; Cunha, J.C.d.O.M.; Leitão, L.; Nogueira, L.A.C.; Vilaça-Alves, J.; Filho, M.B.; de Jesus, I.R.T.; Rios Monteiro, E. Effects of Systemic Vibratory Therapy Combined with a Physical Activity Program in Older Adults on Fall Risk, Balance, Physical Conditioning, and Neuromuscular Variables: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. Healthcare 2026, 14, 1723. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14121723

AMA Style

de Meirelles AG, da Silva YT, Cunha JCdOM, Leitão L, Nogueira LAC, Vilaça-Alves J, Filho MB, de Jesus IRT, Rios Monteiro E. Effects of Systemic Vibratory Therapy Combined with a Physical Activity Program in Older Adults on Fall Risk, Balance, Physical Conditioning, and Neuromuscular Variables: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. Healthcare. 2026; 14(12):1723. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14121723

Chicago/Turabian Style

de Meirelles, Alexandre Gonçalves, Ygor Teixeira da Silva, Julio Cesar de Oliveira Muniz Cunha, Luis Leitão, Leandro Alberto Calazans Nogueira, José Vilaça-Alves, Mário Bernardo Filho, Igor Ramathur Telles de Jesus, and Estêvão Rios Monteiro. 2026. "Effects of Systemic Vibratory Therapy Combined with a Physical Activity Program in Older Adults on Fall Risk, Balance, Physical Conditioning, and Neuromuscular Variables: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial" Healthcare 14, no. 12: 1723. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14121723

APA Style

de Meirelles, A. G., da Silva, Y. T., Cunha, J. C. d. O. M., Leitão, L., Nogueira, L. A. C., Vilaça-Alves, J., Filho, M. B., de Jesus, I. R. T., & Rios Monteiro, E. (2026). Effects of Systemic Vibratory Therapy Combined with a Physical Activity Program in Older Adults on Fall Risk, Balance, Physical Conditioning, and Neuromuscular Variables: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. Healthcare, 14(12), 1723. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14121723

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