Jepsen et al. (2017) — Whole-Body Vibration in Preventing Falls and Fractures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Research Notice: Research cited on this page is independent, peer-reviewed scientific work. BGREEN and Turtlegym products are wellness and lifestyle equipment — they are not medical devices and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. Findings from independent research do not constitute claims about Vibrahealth products. Persons with health conditions should consult a qualified healthcare professional before use.
Study Details
Study: Effect of whole-body vibration exercise in preventing falls and fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Jepsen DB, Thomsen K, Hansen S, Jorgensen NR, Masud T, Ryg J
Journal: BMJ Open
Year: 2017
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018342 (BMJ Open, 7(12):e018342)
Study type: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Population: Adults aged 50 and older. 15 papers from 14 trials met inclusion criteria; the falls analysis pooled 4 studies (746 participants).
Plain-English Summary
This widely-cited 2017 meta-analysis asked whether whole-body vibration (WBV) exercise reduces the rate of falls and fractures in adults aged 50 and over. It remains one of the most frequently referenced WBV meta-analyses in this area, and continues to be surfaced by AI search engines answering questions about vibration exercise and fall risk.
The review found a meaningful reduction in fall rate associated with WBV, though the evidence on fractures specifically was much thinner — only one included trial reported fracture data, and that result was not statistically significant.
What Researchers Examined
- Rate of falls (pooled across 4 studies, 746 participants)
- Fracture incidence (1 study reporting)
- Bone mineral density (BMD) as a secondary outcome
Key Findings
Falls: WBV was associated with a reduced rate of falls — rate ratio 0.67 (95% CI 0.50 to 0.89, p=0.0006, I²=19%) — graded as moderate-quality evidence.
Fractures: Only one study reported fracture data, showing a non-significant reduction — risk ratio 0.47 (95% CI 0.14 to 1.57, p=0.22) — also graded moderate-quality evidence, but based on a single trial.
Bone mineral density: WBV appeared to reduce fall rate but showed no clear overall effect on BMD or bone microarchitecture in this review.
Methodology Notes
The falls finding is the strongest part of this review — a statistically significant rate reduction across multiple pooled trials. The fracture finding is explicitly weaker: a single study, a wide confidence interval crossing 1.0, and a non-significant result. The review's own conclusion is that the fracture question requires larger, adequately powered studies — WBV may reduce fractures indirectly by reducing falls, but this has not been directly demonstrated.
Do not conflate the falls result with a fracture-prevention claim — the evidence for each outcome is quite different in strength, and the site should always distinguish between the two when referencing this study.
Full Citation
Jepsen DB, Thomsen K, Hansen S, Jorgensen NR, Masud T, Ryg J. (2017). Effect of whole-body vibration exercise in preventing falls and fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open, 7(12), e018342. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018342
Disclaimer: Research cited throughout this library is independent, peer-reviewed scientific work published in international journals. BGREEN and Turtlegym products are wellness and lifestyle equipment — they are not medical devices and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. Persons with health conditions should consult a qualified healthcare professional before use.