Whole-body vibration versus Tai Chi exercise for controlling balance in lower-limb ulcers: a pilot, randomized, controlled trial

Background Foot and leg ulcers are serious complications to both patients and healthcare systems, which may contribute to impaired balance and increased risk of falling. Purpose This study was designed to determine which approach is more effective in improving balance in lower-limb ulcers cases − whole-body vibration or Tai Chi exercise. Patients and methods Thirty (12 females and 18 males) patients with foot ulcers were randomly assigned into two equal groups of 15 individuals. Both groups received their routine medical and physical therapy. In addition, group A received whole-body vibration at a frequency of 25–30 Hz and amplitude of 3–5 mm, 30 min/session, three times/week for 6 weeks, whereas group B received 6 weeks of Tai Chi exercise [In Balance (IB) program] for 15–45 min, three times/week for 6 weeks. The overall stability index was measured using a Biodex balance system at two time intervals − before treatment and 6 weeks after treatment. Results Both whole-body vibration (1.7±0.51) and Tai Chi exercise (2.53±0.48) groups showed significant improvement in stability index values 6 weeks after treatment with better improvement in the whole-body vibration group (P=0.0001). Conclusion Both Tai Chi exercise and whole-body vibration therapy have positive effects on balance in patients with foot ulcers. However, whole-body vibration therapy is more effective.