Vibration Therapy

Original Editor - Sehriban Ozmen

Top Contributors - Sehriban Ozmen, Admin, Rachael Lowe and Kirenga Bamurange Liliane  

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Description

Vibration therapy can take two forms: Whole-Body Vibration (WBV) or Focal Vibration (FV). Vibration is either delivered through a vibration platform on which a patient can sit or stand (WBV), or a hand-held or wearable vibrating device applied to muscles and tendons (FV).

Beneficial Effects

WBV shown to has beneficial effects on nervous and musculoskeletal system:

• It causes increase in neuronal activity, cognitive function, and synaptic plasticity.
• It promotes proprioceptive function, reducing the intensity and perception of pain.
• It increases muscle mass and strength, as well as motor performance, while reducing muscle atrophy.
• It increases bone mineral density and promotes fracture healing and joint stability.
• It improve balance and mobility.
• It improves the physical performance of healthy athletes in terms of muscle strength, agility, flexibility, and vertical jump height.

Evidence

Evidence for the efficacy of vibration therapy in different patient populations is as follows.

• Low Back Pain: WBV showed beneficial effect on pain and functional ability in people with non-spesific low back pain.
• Sarcopenia: Both local vibration and whole-body vibration improved muscle strength and physical performance in older adults.
• Stroke: WBV improves walking performance following stroke.
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Cerebral Palsy (CP): WBV can produce positive therapeutic effects on spasticity, static and dynamic balance, fine and gross motor function, muscle strength and range of motion in patients with spastic CP.
• Osteoporosis
• Osteoarthritis: improving walking performance in patients with knee osteoarthrosis
• Fibromyalgia
• Myofascial Pain
• Autogenic Muscle Inhibition

Clinical Application

Application Principles

The standardized protocols including vibration parameters (frequency, amplitude, acceleration) and training durations are non-existent. However most studies agree that the main benefits are associated with low-intensity WBV protocols. For example, WBV at frequencies below 20 Hz has been suggested to reduce LBP by relaxing muscle spasm.

It is known that the vibration therapy cause;

• additional excitation of the motor neuron pool which increases initial firing rates and ultimately enhanced force production when applied briefly (2-25 seconds)
• a decrease in maximal voluntary strength via presynaptic autogenic inhibition when applied for prolonged periods (30+ seconds).

Thus, a study recommended to choose;

• lower frequency, amplitude coupled with longer duration (30+ seconds) for alleviate pain, improve tissue extensibility, and reduce the potential for delayed onset muscle soreness which can be beneficial in patients who are post-operative, dealing with chronic pain or just finished performing strenuous eccentric exercises
• higher frequency, amplitude with short duration usage (< 30 seconds) to assist with motor unit recruitment and tissue preparedness which can be beneficial prior to or during exercise activity.

General recommendation is to provide gentle pressure with continuous motion into the affected tissue. If the response from the tissue is more pronounced (‘bouncy’) or louder, then the therapist will know that they have found an area that requires more attention.

Safety and Contraindications

There are no direct contraindications for the use of vibration therapy. However the conditions that requires caution are listed below :

• Stress fractures / reactions
• Neuropathy
• Fibromyalgia
• Epilepsy
• Pregnancy
• Recent surgery or joint replacement
• Metal pins or plates
• Pacemakers
• Areas with skin rash or open wounds
• Hypertension or risk for clotting.

Resources

Vibration and pain management