Exploring the Impact of Muscle Vibration Therapy in Neurologic Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review

Objective: To consolidate evidence on the efficacy of muscle vibration therapy for neurorehabilitation, providing health care practitioners with insights for enhancing treatment protocols and guiding future research. Data Sources: Studies were identified from an online search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases, with a search time range of 2014-2024. Study Selection: A total of 26 studies involving 787 individuals were included in this systematic review, including diverse neurologic conditions and intervention protocols. Data Extraction: Keywords, Boolean operators, and controlled vocabulary were combined and tested in a gradual and iterative manner to achieve the highest possible sensitivity and specificity. The PRISMA flowchart was used to depict the process of selecting relevant studies. Data Synthesis: Research on segmental and local muscle vibration in upper limb rehabilitation for poststroke patients is promising, as it can improve motor function, decrease spasticity, and enhance muscle control. Whole-body vibration interventions also show advantages in lower limb spasticity and balance, with specific studies adducing better results when paired with task-specific training. Vibration therapy has shown promising outcomes for alleviating pain, managing spasticity, and improving motor function in various neurologic conditions such as SCI and cerebral palsy, highlighting its potential in treating different neurologic disorders. Conclusions: This review emphasizes the potential of muscle vibration therapy in neurorehabilitation, showing benefits in motor control, spasticity, and functional outcomes, while underscoring the importance of rigorous methods and further extensive research to improve result dependability.