Occupational Exposure to Whole Body Vibration Among U.S. Military Veterans: Acute and Chronic Contributions to Musculoskeletal Disorders and Spine-Area Pain

Brief summary (from the registry)

Significance to VA: There is a lack of prospective longitudinal studies investigating the relationship between risk factors to Veterans and development and progression of musculoskeletal (MSK) spine injury and pain. Military operational exposure to whole body vibration (WBV) is known to contribute to MSK disorders and pain. Our preliminary studies identified accelerated lumbar and cervical spine degenerative changes in military fighter pilots and helicopter aircrew compared to age- and sex-matched civilian controls. Those changes were likely associated with WBV that military aircrew experience during flight training, primarily affected intervertebral discs (IVDs) and endplates, were associated with neck and back pain symptoms and reduced functional capacity, and are likely to lead to lifelong spine-related issues. Therefore, these aircrew, and other military personnel that experience occupational WBV, are likely to enter the VA Healthcare system with pre-existing degenerative changes and spine-related pain symptoms that can progress over time. Similarly, many Veterans enter civilian occupations that involve WBV such as truck drivers and heavy equipment operators that may also have detrimental effects to the spine and lead to spine-related pain. Development of informed interventions and treatment protocols requires a mechanistic understanding of how the spine is acutely and chronically affected by occupational WBV from both structural and physiological perspectives. Innovation and Impact: Novel multi-parametric application of noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques such as arterial spin labeling (ASL), T2\* decay from ultra short TE, and diffusion MRI can provide early objective indications of endplate degenerative state and IVD hydration and perfusion, and novel application of upright MR imaging allows for gravitational loading of the IVD while observing segmental and region IVD fluid distribution and transport patterns. Specific Aims: The goal of th…

Study details

Official title

Occupational Exposure to Whole Body Vibration Among U.S. Military Veterans: Acute and Chronic Contributions to Musculoskeletal Disorders and Spine-Area Pain, and the Role of Water

Conditions

• Spine Health
• Spine Injuries and Disorders
• Spine Degeneration
• Whole Body Vibration

Interventions

• Other: Water

Sponsor

Milwaukee VA Medical Center

Collaborators

Medical College of Wisconsin; Indiana University; VA Office of Research and Development; Naval Aeromedical Research Unit, Dayton

Start date

2026-07-01

Primary completion

2030-06-30

Sex

All

Age range

from 20 Years to 45 Years

Healthy volunteers

true

Results posted

No results posted in this snapshot

Countries

United States

Total sites listed

1

Eligibility criteria