Short-term effects of vibration therapy on motor impairments in Parkinson's disease.

doi:10.3233/NRE-2009-0528

Paper

Short-term effects of vibration therapy on motor impairments in Parkinson's disease.

Published 2009 · L. King, Q. Almeida, Heidi Ahonen

NeuroRehabilitation

Q2 SJR score

84

Citations

2

Influential Citations

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Abstract

Recent studies have suggested that vibration therapy may have a positive influence on motor symptoms in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, quantitative evidence of these benefits is scarce, and the concept of "whole-body" vibration in these studies is vague. The objectives of the current study were to evaluate the influence of vibration on motor symptoms and functional measures in PD by delivering sound waves to the entire body. We delivered whole body sound wave vibration to 40 individuals with PD using a Physioacoustic Chair, a piece of equipment with speakers spaced throughout the chair permitting a series of programmed low frequency sound waves through the body. Using a parallel cross-over design we utilized the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), quantitative gait assessments, and a grooved pegboard for upper limb control. Improvements were seen in all symptom, motor control and functional outcome measures at the time of assessment. Specifically, a significant decrease in rigidity, and tremor were shown, as well as a significant increase in step length and improved speed on the grooved pegboard task. Results of this initial investigation provide support for vibration therapy as a non-pharmacological treatment alternative. Long-term benefits of vibration therapy will require further research.

Non-RCT

Highly Cited

Study Snapshot

Vibration therapy can improve short-term symptoms and motor control in Parkinson's disease patients, with significant decreases in rigidity and tremor and increased step length and speed on a grooved pegboard task.

PopulationOlder adults (50-71 years)

Sample size24

MethodsObservational

OutcomesBody Mass Index projections

ResultsSocial networks mitigate obesity in older groups.

Paper

Short-term effects of vibration therapy on motor impairments in Parkinson's disease.

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Citations

EFFECTS OF WHOLE BODY VIBRATION ON THE FUNCTIONAL MOBILITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF INDIVIDUALS WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Whole body vibration improves functional mobility and quality of life in individuals with Parkinson's disease.

Gait-Guard: Turn-aware Freezing of Gait Detection for Non-intrusive Intervention Systems

Gait-Guard is a portable, real-time freezing of gait detection system for Parkinson's disease patients, reducing false positive intervention rates and improving patient quality of life.

Effects of a Single Session of Whole Body Vibration Compared to Multiple Sessions—An Updated Review and Meta-Analysis

Whole-body vibration training shows mixed effects on Parkinson's disease symptoms, with some no effect and others very strong, and further studies are needed to compare different frequencies, sentence durations, and vibration types.

FoG-Finder: Real-time Freezing of Gait Detection and Treatment

FoG-Finder is a real-time freezing of gait detection and treatment system that improves accuracy and reduces false positive treatment rates compared to other systems.

Binaural acoustic stimulation in patients with Parkinson’s disease

Binaural beat stimulation (BBS) in the gamma frequency range improves resting tremor in Parkinson's disease patients, while conventional acoustic stimulation (CAS) shows a general positive effect on motor performance.

Vascular and Neural Response to Focal Vibration, Sensory Feedback, and Piezo Ion Channel Signaling

Focal vibration therapy with frequencies from 60-120 Hz and amplitudes up to 1 mm can improve motor control, locomotion, pain, nerves, and blood vessels while avoiding adverse effects.

Finger dexterity measured by the Grooved Pegboard test indexes Parkinson's motor severity in a tremor-independent manner.

The Grooved Pegboard test (GPT) is a useful tool for assessing motor severity in Parkinson's disease patients, independent of tremors and age.

Effect of Zhan Zhuang Qigong on upper limb static tremor and aerobic exercise capacity in patients with mild-to-moderate Parkinson’s disease: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Zhan Zhuang Qigong may improve upper limb static tremor and aerobic capacity in patients with mild-to-moderate Parkinson's disease.

A Wearable Vibratory Device (The Emma Watch) to Address Action Tremor in Parkinson Disease: Pilot Feasibility Study

The Emma Watch may help attenuate action tremor in Parkinson's disease patients, but its efficacy in improving fine motor or handwriting skills as a stand-alone tool remains to be demonstrated.