Introduction

Vibration therapy interventions are an attractive alternative for people with contraindications to physical activity or manifesting kinesiophobia; they constitute an equivalent to physical activity.

Material and methods

A group of female volunteers with hypercholesterolemia (LDL over 3 mmol/l) aged over 65 years were randomized into 2 subgroups: the study group (taking part in interventions on mattresses generating oscillatory-cycloid vibrations) and the control group (receiving interventions on placebo mattresses). All the subjects underwent two 30-minute interventions 5 times a week for the period of 21 days, in the prone position. Before the intervention and after completing the series of sessions, body composition and waist and hip circumferences were assessed. Venous blood for biochemical studies was collected before the intervention, one day after its completion, and one week after completing the series of vibration sessions. On the basis of the lipid profile results, atherogenicity indices were calculated.

Results

After 21 days, a statistically significant decrease in the level of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol was observed in subjects who received oscillatory-cycloid vibration therapy. No statistically significant changes were noted in the concentrations of HDL cholesterol or triglycerides. The 21-day therapeutic intervention also resulted in lowering the AIP in the study group, as well as a decrease of hip circumference.

Conclusions

Oscillatory-cycloid vibration applied regularly for a longer time can beneficially impact on lowering the level of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in people with hypercholesterolemia, although it does not influence body composition in women aged 65 years or more.