Reporting Guidelines for Whole-Body Vibration Studies in Humans, Animals and Cell Cultures: A Consensus Statement from an International Group of Experts

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Whole-body vibration (WBV) is an exercise or treatment method used in sports, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation. During WBV, people sit, stand, or exercise on a platform that generates vibrations. These vibrations generally occur between 20 and 60 times per second and have a magnitude of one or several millimeters. Research is focused on the effects of WBV on, for instance, physical and cognitive functions as well as the underlying mechanisms that may explain the effects. Research is not only done in humans but in animals and cell cultures as well. It is important to report the studies correctly, completely, and consistently. This way, researchers can interpret and compare each other’s studies, and data of different studies can be combined and analyzed together. To serve this goal, we developed new guidelines on how to report on WBV studies. The guidelines include checklists for human and animal/cell culture research, explanations, and examples of how to report. We included information about devices, vibrations, administration, general protocol, and subjects. The guidelines are WBV-specific and can be used by researchers alongside general guidelines for specific research designs. ABSTRACT: Whole-body vibration (WBV) is an exercise modality or treatment/prophylaxis method in which subjects (humans, animals, or cells) are exposed to mechanical vibrations through a vibrating platform or device. The vibrations are defined by their direction, frequency, magnitude, duration, and the number of daily bouts. Subjects can be exposed while performing exercises, hold postures, sitting, or lying down. Worldwide, WBV has attracted significant attention, and the number of studies is rising. To interpret, compare, and aggregate studies, the correct, complete, and consistent reporting of WBV-specific data (WBV parameters) is critical. Specific reporting guidelines aid in accomplishing this goal. There was a need to expand existing guidelines because of continuous developments in the field of WBV research, including but not limited to new outcome measures regarding brain function and cognition, modified designs of WBV platforms and attachments (e.g., mounting a chair on a platform), and comparisons of animal and cell culture studies with human studies. Based on Delphi studies among experts and using EQUATOR recommendations, we have developed extended reporting guidelines with checklists for human and animal/cell culture research, including information on devices, vibrations, administration, general protocol, and subjects. In addition, we provide explanations and examples of how to report. These new reporting guidelines are specific to WBV variables and do not target research designs in general. Researchers are encouraged to use the new WBV guidelines in addition to general design-specific guidelines.