Whole-Body Vibration for Individuals with Reconstructed Anterior Cruciate Ligament: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND: ACL ruptures are a prevalent condition, affecting daily living activities, associated with high financial burden. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of whole-body vibration (WBV) in the rehabilitation of patients with reconstructed anterior cruciate ligament. Methodology. An electronic search in Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, and PEDro databases was conducted and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in humans that analysed the effects of WBV in patients with ACL injury subjected to reconstruction surgery, published in English, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, or French were included. Records were identified through database search and reference screening by two reviewers, which independently examined titles and abstracts and irrelevant studies were excluded based in eligibility criteria. Relevant full texts were analysed for eligibility, and all relevant studies were included in the systematic review. RESULTS: Ten studies were included in the systematic review with a mean methodological quality score of 6. Results demonstrate positive effects of WBV in relevant outcomes such as knee function, electromyographic activity, balance, and muscle strength. CONCLUSIONS: WBV demonstrated a positive effect in strength, balance, electromyographic activity, and knee function.