Vibration therapy to improve pain and function in patients with chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background Vibration therapy (VT), a treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, has been developed for clinical applications in the past decade. However, its effect on relieving chronic low back pain (CLBP) and improving lumbar function is still illusive, lacking sufficient evidence-based medical data. Objective This systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of vibration therapy on pain and function in people with CLBP. Methods PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang Date, VIP, and CBM were applied to search for clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on vibration therapy for people with CLBP. The electronic databases were searched from the establishment of the database until July 1, 2023. Two researchers assessed the quality of the included studies and extracted data. The outcome indicators included the pain intensity index, Oswestry dysfunction index (ODI) score, and Roland–Morris dysfunction questionnaire (RMDQ) score. GRADE was used to evaluate the certainty of evidence of each outcome indicator. The meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3 software. Results Fourteen papers met the inclusion criteria with 860 subjects (VT group n = 432 and control group n = 428). VT for patients with CLBP reduced the pain intensity index [SMD = − 0.71, 95% CI (− 1.02, − 0.39), I2 = 76%, P < 0.0001], the ODI score value [MD = − 4.24, 95% CI (− 8.10, − 0.38), I2 = 88%, P = 0.03], and the RMDQ score value [MD = − 2.21, 95% CI (− 3.41, − 1.01), I2 = 0%, P = 0.0003]. Subgroup analysis displayed that the pain intensity index was lower in the whole-body vibration (WBV) group than in the control group [SMD = − 0.49, 95% CI (− 0.79, − 0.19), I2 = 58%, P = 0.001] and the local vibration (LV) group [SMD = − 1.07, 95% CI (− 1.60, − 0.53), I2 = 76%, P < 0.0001]. The ODI scores in the WBV group were lower than those in the control group [MD = − 3.30, 95% CI (− 5.76, − 0.83), I2 = 36%, P = 0.009]. There was no statistically significant difference in ODI scores between the LV group and the control group [MD = − 5.78, 95% CI (− 16.23, 4.66), I2 = 97%, P = 0.28]. Conclusion The data from this study suggest that VT can reduce pain and improve lumbar function in patients with CLBP. However, we still need to carefully interpret the results of this study, as the certainty of evidence was low, and the clinical relevance of the results is questionable. Further RCTs are needed in the future to ascertain this.

Vibration Therapy in Accelerated Orthodontics – A Review

“…Vibration therapy has shown potential benefits in orthodontic treatment plans (12). By incorporating high-frequency vibration (HFV) devices into treatment, orthodontists can enhance tooth movement and promote bone density.…”

Effect of Whole-Body Vibration Exercise on Pain, Disability, Balance, Proprioception, Functional Performance and Quality of Life in People with Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…However, the effectiveness of WBVE in managing NSCLBP remains uncertain, partly due to inconsistencies in research practices. Studies in the field vary significantly in terms of the frequencies, amplitudes, and durations used in WBVE, and there is a lack of standardized protocols across these studies [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. While there are existing systematic reviews examining the impact of WBVE on aspects like pain, proprioception, and disability, these often include studies of local vibration and do not offer a comprehensive meta-analysis [ 26 , 27 ].…”

“…While there are existing systematic reviews examining the impact of WBVE on aspects like pain, proprioception, and disability, these often include studies of local vibration and do not offer a comprehensive meta-analysis [ 26 , 27 ]. Moreover, recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses have focused solely on the effects of WBVE on pain and function, without a broader scope [ 25 ]. In this review, we delve into the assessment of QoL and functional abilities, recognizing that LBP profoundly affects various aspects of life, from basic self-care to complex social, work, and functional performance, ultimately impacting overall QoL [ 18 , 28 ].…”

Consumer Perceptions of Home-Based Percussive Massage Therapy for Musculoskeletal Concerns: Inductive Thematic Qualitative Analysis

“…Percussive therapy is suggested to incorporate components of more well-studied therapy modalities like vibration therapy and conventional massage [ 10 ]. Vibration therapy is said to elicit its therapeutic impact on muscle fibers and proprioception, with health outcomes demonstrating improvements in elasticity, mobility, lymphatic and blood circulation, and swelling [ 11 ]. Soft tissue, a common modality of conventional massage, has shown similar health benefits with regard to improvements in circulation, range of motion, and muscle relaxation [ 12 , 13 ].…”