An interventional study of Whole Body Vibration Training and Otago Exercise in Aging, Frailty and Sarcopenia, sponsored by Changi General Hospital. Recruiting at 1 site in Singapore. Open to participants aged 65 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-04-15.
Sponsored by Changi General Hospital · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
This study is a randomized controlled trial where participants would be randomly assigned to one of 2 groups. One group would receive Whole body vibration therapy and usual care and the other group only usual care. Measurements of muscle mass, strength and function would be taken before the interventions, and at 2 other points after interventions. Differences in the outcomes between the two groups would be analysed.
Background: The prevalence of Frailty and Sarcopenia is increasing with increasing proportion of older adults in the population. While screening for frailty and sarcopenia has become more common, frailty interventions are still developing. Effective interventions include resistance exercise programs that are progressive and sustained. However, take up rate and adherence to these programs are low due to many barriers like time, cost and convenience to the older adult. Many older adults who are frail may be unable to adhere to exercise programs due to cognitive impairment and tolerability. An alternative modality, Whole Body Vibration Training (WBVT), has emerged with evidence in improving muscle strength and function which may be easier to complete and a safe alternative.
Aim: Our study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel progressive 4-week, thrice-weekly WBVT intervention and usual care compared to usual care in improving muscle mass, strength and function in the pre-frail and mildly frail older adult.
Methods: 20 participants would be randomly allocated to each arm. The primary outcome is the between-group difference in change in maximal isometric knee-extension strength from baseline to 2 weeks post-intervention. Secondary outcomes include Appendicular Skeletal Mass Index (ASMI), hand grip strength (HGS), gait speed (GS), 5 timed chair stands, Quality of life (EQ-5D-5L) and physical activity level using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE). Other secondary outcomes include falls rate during the study, 1-year unplanned emergency department visits, hospitalizations as well as all-cause mortality. The measurements would be done at 3 points, namely pre-intervention (baseline), 2 weeks post-intervention and at 3 months. Qualitative data would include participant surveys and semi-structured interviews to assess feasibility, accessibility and future implementation.
1,284 studies on the registry are indexed under Frailty; 452 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 40 is below the median of 81 across 767 interventional studies indexed under Frailty.
Browse Frailty studies →Changi General Hospital is the lead sponsor of 101 studies on the registry; 18 are open to participants now.
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Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Contraindications to WBVT:
PRIMARY CONTRAINDICATIONS TO WBVT
SECONDARY CONTRAINDICATIONS TO WBVT
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
A reason a treatment, test or procedure should not be given to a particular person, such as an allergy, another illness or a medicine they take.
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
The New York Heart Association’s four classes of how much heart failure limits physical activity.
Studies set their own limit — many outside heart failure leave out class III–IV, while heart failure studies may ask for a particular class. Check the class this study names.
Contraindication
A reason a treatment, test or procedure should not be given to a particular person, such as an allergy, another illness or a medicine they take.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
BMI (body mass index)
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
NYHA class (heart failure)
The New York Heart Association’s four classes of how much heart failure limits physical activity.
Studies set their own limit — many outside heart failure leave out class III–IV, while heart failure studies may ask for a particular class. Check the class this study names.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
The WBVT would be conducted using the Galileo Vibration machine (Galileo® S 35), for 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks. The participants would be progressed in terms of (i)vibration frequency from 15 Hz to at least 25 Hz (maximum 30 Hz for those who can tolerate) (ii)for the angles of their squats (from an approximate starting point of 20 degrees ("mini squats" to 45 degrees "quarter squats"; maximum to 90 degrees-thighs parallel to ground or "half-squats" for those who can tolerate); as well as (iii) increasing number of each 1-minute set (from 6 to 8 sets), while standing on the WBVT machine barefoot with both feet flat on the platform set at an amplitude of 2-3mm (according to the participant's height and body physique) with variable rest breaks (up to 1 minute) between each set for a total of 15 minutes each training session. Any missed session would be recorded. To ensure compliance, the subjects would receive a standard phone-call/text reminder prior to the scheduled session.
Other: Whole Body Vibration Training · Other: Otago Exercise
Participants from both arms would also be provided the exercise sheet on "Otago exercises" (30)and demonstrated in one session how to perform the exercises. In-person demonstration of the "Otago exercises" would be done upon recruitment by trained study team members, at the visit for baseline measurements and a return-demonstration would be done after. They would be instructed to perform the Otago exercises daily according to the standardized instructions stated and progressed from 10 to 15 repetitions on their own for at least 3 times a week and advised to also continue other aerobic exercises, for example, brisk walking. Participants would be given an exercise and falls diary to record their exercise participation as well as any falls that occurred during the study duration for up to 3 months.
Other: Otago Exercise
Information already included in arm/group descriptions.
Usual Care
Isometric Knee Extension Strength
Measured using a JTech Medical, Northstar Echo Muscle Tester with subject seated with knee flexed at 90 degrees and hanging, muscle tester is placed at the ventral surface of the ankle between malleoli and subject instructed to push against tester with maximal effort to extend the knee. Best of three trials would be taken.
Time frame: Baseline and 2 weeks after intervention and 3 months after intervention
Hand Grip Strength
Measured using Jtech Medical, Northstar Echo Grip hand dynamometer with participant sitting upright with elbows flexed at 90 degrees and arms unsupported, best of 3 tries from each hand.
Time frame: Baseline and at 2 weeks post intervention and 3 months post intervention
Appendicular Skeletal Mass Index
Height adjusted Appendicular Skeletal Mass index as measured by the InBody S10 Body Composition Analysis machine
Time frame: Baseline and at 2 weeks post intervention and 3 months post intervention
Gait Speed
6 metres normal gait speed (metres/second)
Time frame: Baseline and at 2 weeks post intervention and 3 months post intervention
5-timed chair stands
Time taken to perform 5 chair stands with both arms crossed over chest (seconds)
Time frame: Baseline and at 2 weeks post intervention and 3 months post intervention
Calf Circumference
Widest calf circumference with participant in standing position
Time frame: Baseline and at 2 weeks post intervention and 3 months post intervention
Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE)
Assessment for physical activity level according to the PASE questionnaire
Time frame: Baseline and at 2 weeks post intervention and 3 months post intervention
Quality of life scale
QOL measured with the EQ-5D-5L
Time frame: Baseline and at 2 weeks post intervention and 3 months post intervention
Number of falls
Number of falls per participant during study period
Time frame: 1 year post interventions
1 year unplanned emergency department visits and hospitalisation events
as described above
Time frame: 1 year post interventions
All-cause mortality
Mortality all-cause
Time frame: up to 1 year post interventions
Participant Surveys
Survey on user experience and satisfaction as well as feasibility, accessibility
Time frame: 2 weeks post intervention up to 3 months post intervention
Exercise adherence
Participants would be instructed to record their exercise participation in an exercise diary with remarks on any symptoms experienced.
Time frame: During 4 weeks intervention period
Semi-structured interviews
Semi-structured interviews would be conducted for the 20 participants in the WBVT (intervention) arm to enhance the qualitative data collected.
Time frame: 2 weeks post intervention up to 3 months post intervention
Plan to share: No — Individual participant data will not be shared at this time because participants were not explicitly consented for data sharing.
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