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Health and Research Journal

Effect of whole-body vibration on microcirculation in critically ill patients

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Published: Jul 1, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/healthresj.45929
Keywords:
Whole-body vibration microcirculation NIRS critically ill patients
Athanasia Gializi
Clinical Ergospirometry, Exercise & Rehabilitation Laboratory, ‘Evaggelismos’ General Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
Panagiotis Ferentinos
Clinical Ergospirometry, Exercise & Rehabilitation Laboratory, ‘Evaggelismos’ General Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
Evangelos Giagklisis
Clinical Ergospirometry, Exercise & Rehabilitation Laboratory, ‘Evaggelismos’ General Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
Marios Kalyviotis
Clinical Ergospirometry, Exercise & Rehabilitation Laboratory, ‘Evaggelismos’ General Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
Serafeim Nanas
Clinical Ergospirometry, Exercise & Rehabilitation Laboratory, ‘Evaggelismos’ General Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
Anastassios Philippou
Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Ioannis Vasileiadis
Clinical Ergospirometry, Exercise & Rehabilitation Laboratory, ‘Evaggelismos’ General Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
Eleftherios Κaratzanos
Clinical Ergospirometry, Exercise & Rehabilitation Laboratory, ‘Evaggelismos’ General Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
Abstract

Background: Microcirculatory dysfunction represents a key pathophysiological mechanism in critically ill patients. Whole-body vibration (WBV) has been investigated as a non-invasive intervention with potential effects on microcirculation.


Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effect of WBV applied in a seated position on systemic microcirculation in patients at the second stage of rehabilitation.


Method and Material: This was an experimental repeated-measures study including 39 participants (18 patients, 21 healthy individuals). WBV was applied in a seated position in all participants, while in healthy individuals it was additionally applied in a standing position for comparative evaluation. Patients also underwent passive mobilization using a cycle ergometer. Microcirculation was assessed using near-infrared spectroscopy in combination with vascular occlusion, before and after each intervention.


Results: In the overall sample, seated WBV led to a reduction in the reperfusion index (RS: 3.0±1.1 to 2.7±1.0 %/min, p=0.02). In healthy individuals, RS decreased significantly (p<0.05), with a trend toward reduction in OS (p=0.091), whereas no changes were observed in patients (p>0.05). Standing WBV did not affect microcirculatory indices but resulted in increased heart rate and systolic blood pressure (p<0.05). In patients, none of the interventions affected microcirculatory indices, except for a reduction in StO₂ following passive mobilization (p<0.05).


Conclusions: Seated WBV appears to be associated with acute changes in microcirculatory indices in healthy individuals, but not in critically ill patients. These findings highlight the need for further investigation of the parameters and the effectiveness of WBV in clinical populations.

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