Blood Flow and Bone Density in Healthy Adult Women
Blood Flow and Bone Density in Healthy Adult Women
This project will test the efficacy of using a non-invasive neuromuscular stimulation on the
 plantar surface of the feet to prevent and/ or reverse bone loss in a sample of healthy adult
 women.
Women between the ages of 30 and 60 years of age who work in positions that require them to
 be seated at desks for a large portion of each day, are capable of following the protocol for
 one year, have a t-score >- 2.5 (do not have osteoporosis), and respond to plantar
 stimulation will be asked to participate. Women will be excluded who are receiving
 medications for osteoporosis, taking hormone replacement therapy, taking steroids (either
 oral or inhaled), have metal implants in the tibia, hip and spine that interfere with DEXA
 (bone density) scanning, are professional or semi-professional athletes, have
 hyperparathyroidism, have a history of pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, peripheral
 vascular disease or varicose veins, have a Body Mass Index greater than 40 Kg/m2, have any
 type of neuromuscular disease, or are pregnant . Once the inclusion and exclusion criteria
 are met, 45 subjects will be randomized into 3 groups including 1) a group of 15 subjects who
 will use the device (stimulation) for up to 4 hours a day, 2) a group of 15 subjects that
 will use the device for up to 8 hours a day, and 3) a control group who will not use the
 device. Subjects in the two treatment groups will be asked to place their feet on a
 mechanical device that will deliver a slight vibration while they are seated at work.
 Vibrations between 30-60 Hz has been shown to stimulate the Meissner's corpuscles which in
 turn stimulate contraction of the deep muscles of the calves. This contraction has been shown
 to increase venous and lymphatic return from the lower extremities thus improve bone
 metabolism. Bone density readings and venous circulation will be measured at the onset of
 this research and will be repeated after 12 months of using the device.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  healthy women 30 - 60 years old

 -  work in seated positions

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  weigh more than 350 pounds

 -  pregnant or plan to become pregnant

 -  professional athlete

 -  currently on Hormone Replacement Therapy

 -  currently taking medication for osteoporosis

 -  currently on corticosteroids

 -  metal implants in tibia hip spine forearm

 -  diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism

 -  diagnosed with neuromuscular disease

 -  pulmonary embolism

 -  deep vein thrombosis

 -  peripheral vascular disease

 -  medications for hypertension