Has anyone used the Marodyne device to stimulate bone growth?
You stand on it twice a day for 10 minutes. It gently vibrates and also helps with improving balance. The Marodyne is made in Germany and costs about $3,000. It has not been FDA approved but there are studies in progress.
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Here are some citations if you'd like to dive in more deeply. https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=H-ld0GkAAAAJ&view_op=list_works
I use the Marodyne Vibration plate and have been using it since Jan. 2023. It has been one year. I received my bone density test in December of 2023 and the test showed no change. My doctor told me that is good. Next year hopefully my bone mass will increase. I use the Marodyne twice a day for 10 minutes. I also go to physical therapy three times a week and take supplements.
@ellemay Nice, no loss!! That’s great!!! It was indicated to me that one shouldn’t look for a real change in BMD until you’ve used it for 1 1/2 to 2 years. Change with bones happens slowly( taking meds out of the equation). I’d be curious @ellemay what BMD you’re dealing with??? I started using my Marodyne in June 2023 , so I’m happy to hear this , though I’m probably going to start Forteo in the future as I fractured L-1 a year and a half ago. I too take supplements and work out.
FYI: Dr. Belinda Beck will touch on the results of the VIBMOR trial in her interview with Margie Bissinger on day 6 (1/20/2024) of the "More Natural Approaches to Osteoporosis & Bone Health" 7-day summit (https://morebonehealth.byhealthmeans.com/). Dr. Beck, Clint Rubin, et al conducted the recent randomized clinical trial to look at the effect of vibration on postmenopausal bone. The study compared groups using Marodyne vibration plate, high intensity resistance/impact exercise, and a combo of the two.
I'm a journalist. Would be very interested in any info on the VIBMOR trial . Will this information be available somewhere? Thanks...
Hi Ratu. I was told that the trial was complete last summer and that the team was doing analysis and would then publish. As far as I can see there has been no publication yet.
The study protocol is available here: https://trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13063-021-05911-4. I am very curious what there results will be.
The FDA has just approved a wearable vibration device called Osteoboost.
From the press release of Jan. 18, 2024:" Osteoboost is a wearable belt device, worn on the hips, that delivers targeted, calibrated vibration to the lumbar spine and hips. Osteoboost is indicated to reduce bone strength and density decline in postmenopausal women and is the first and only solution specifically designed to improve bone health during osteopenia. This breakthrough technology is safe, medication-free, and easy to use at home, making it suitable for a wide variety of patients with bone density loss. "
https://www.bonehealthtech.com/page/news/
I was puzzled/disappointed that the manufacturer referred to osteopenia and not osteoporosis too. Don't know if it wasn't tested on those with osteoporosis, or if it was tested on those with osteoporosis and didn't perform well. If anyone knows that answer please share!
I have been asking this question too but so far haven’t received any responses. I have tried writing the company too. I will see if I can find another address. BTW, I think you have to get a prescription to get this. Oh, I just read this on their website:
“ This device is not indicated for patients with osteoporosis.”
And also, anyone with a fracture or t-score less than -2.49 (& a bunch of other conditions) was excluded from the study.
https://www.bonehealthtech.com/indications-for-use/
It's hard to get good clear info on their study. It does not look like they have published the results of their "Spry Belt Study". You can see the study design here: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03986203?tab=table. It looks like they presented data from the study at a couple of conferences. "BHT presented data from their clinical trial at ASBMR 2023 and ENDO 2023".
In a blog post on their website they say this "The primary goal of the study was to provide quantifiable measurement in the change in vertebral strength using Biomechanical Computed Tomography and finite element analysis. The participants in the Active Treatment group who used the device a minimum of 3 times per week throughout the year experienced an average bone strength loss of 0.48%. In contrast, those in the Sham group lost 2.84% on average, indicating a relative difference of 2.36% (P=0.014). This represents an impressive 82% reduction in the rate of bone strength loss among the Active Treatment group."
So much less bone strength loss but not a gain. I couldn't find DXA score data.
As to osteopenia vs osteoporosis, I suspect this was a financial - marketing - FDA approval type of decision to shoot for the osteopenia market. Probably not a scientific one where there is some reason it works for osteopenia and not osteoporosis. That's just my guess. I'm not sure what to think of this device at this point.
@tetris Hi! I just watched the video today, worth a watch. My understanding, the results on the LIV, in a study done by Dr Beck was disappointing. She saw no change. If you listen to the audio version below of the interview, Dr Beck's comments on Vibration therapy are approx at 27:26.
https://morebonehealth.byhealthmeans.com/expert/belinda-beck/
I will continue to use my vib b/c it has helped me with my balance.