Objective To assess the effects of high-frequency loading using whole body vibration on distal radius density in adults.Methods The volunteers diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia in the First Hospital of Jilin University from January 2011 to December 2014 were recruited. All the subjects performed foot-based, whole body vibrations on the vibration platform (35 Hz, 0.25 g) once a day, for 15 minutes per session over a period of 4 weeks. The bone mineral density of distal radius (rBMD) was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at before, 2-week, and 4-week after the vibration treatment. Blood pressures were measured at the end of the vibration treatment.Results A total of 114 volunteers were enrolled. The average rBMD before the treatment was 0.331±0.014 g/cm². It was reached 0.337±0.019 g/cm² at the end of the fourth week, increased by 1.79% (P<0.05). Whole body vibration increased rBMD of men and women respectively (1.77% and 1.80%, P<0.05). Blood pressures did not change in any of the groups.Conclusion A 4-week whole body vibration was feasible and contributed to increase of rBMD.

Key words: whole body vibration, mechanical loading, distal radius, osteoporosis