The association between whole body vibration exposure and spine degeneration on imaging: A systematic review

BACKGROUND: Low frequency vibrations from motorized vehicles and heavy equipment have been associated with musculoskeletal disorders. Spine degeneration on diagnostic imaging provides direct and objective measures of the possible effects of such exposures on the spine. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the association of exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV) with spine degeneration on imaging. METHODS: We conducted electronic searches in MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Web of Science to July 2021. Two reviewers independently screened search results, assessed quality, and extracted data. Studies evaluating the exposure to WBV and lumbar spine degeneration on imaging were included. RESULTS: Fifteen studies (16 manuscripts) were included. Seven studies including a meta-demonstrated moderate quality evidence of no association between WBV and disc degeneration. There was also moderate quality evidence of no association between WBV and disc height narrowing and osteophytes. Overall, there was low level evidence of no association between WBV and other degenerations findings. CONCLUSIONS: There was moderate to low quality evidence suggesting no association between WBV exposures with spine degeneration on imaging. The results of this study currently do not support assertion that motorized vehicle and WBV exposure accelerates degeneration and causes structural damage to the spine.

Bone mineral density, cervical spine degeneration, head and neck posture, and neck pain in the post-menopausal females: A pilot study

The purpose of the present study was to reveal the relationship between degenerative changes in the cervical spine, head and neck postures, neck pain, and bone mineral density (BMD) of the total hip, femoral neck, and lumbar spine in post-menopausal females. In total, 116 females (mean age 60.4 ± 7.1 years; age range 50–80 years) were included. Participants were classified into three groups based on the T-score criteria of the total hip, femoral neck, and lumbar spine set by World Health Organization, respectively. The degree of neck pain was assessed using self-administered questionnaire, the Neck Disability Index. Cervical spine degeneration and head and neck postures were identified using the lateral cephalograms. Grading system for cervical degeneration included three categories of the radiographic alterations including disc height loss, osteophyte formation, and diffuse sclerosis. The areal BMD of the total hip, femoral neck, and lumbar spine were determined using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Females with lower BMD exhibited lesser degree of neck pain and forward head posture (FHP) compared to those with normal BMD. Higher BMD seemed to be associated with more notable loss of the disc height at the level of C4-5. More prominent degenerative changes in the cervical spine were associated with higher areal BMD of the hip, femoral neck, and lumbar spine, altered head posture, and development of neck pain.

Whole Body Vibration on drivers seat and fender with fully loaded double axle tractor-trailers under different operating conditions

Tractors play an important role in Indian agriculture; it is used for agricultural operations and as a common means of transportation in rural areas. It exposes the drivers and workers sitting on fenders to whole body vibration. which results into back pain, spine degeneration and even spine disc problems. Keeping this in mind a study was carried out to measure the whole body vibration on driver and fender seat with fully loaded double axle tractor-trailer under different operating conditions. Vibration was measured on two terrains (Asphalt, Farm), at three speed (10, 12, 14 km/h on asphalt terrain and 4, 5, 7 km/h on farm terrain, as per ISO-5008 (1979)), in three directions (longitudinal, transverse, and vertical) using tri-axial accelerometers. Data was taken for 120 s each and analyzed using vibration meter and analyzer for three replications of each treatments. Vector sum of vibration and Health Guidance Caution Zone upper and lower limit were obtained for different operating conditions to know the health effect of vibration.