Wearing vibrating gloves could provide valuable assistance for patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease. According to researchers, vibrations have the ability to reset nerves that misfire and reduce tremors, stiffness and slow movement.
Beginning in the 19th century, when neurologer Jean-Martin Charcot noticed his patients’ symptoms improving after long carriage rides, various researchers experimented with vibrating chairs and platforms, but their effects were often inconsistent and temporary.
Reduces Tremors
Tremors are one of the hallmark symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. According to research, vibration therapy may help reduce both frequency and intensity of tremors while simultaneously improving balance and mobility.
Scientists have recently discovered that vibration can activate muscles and trigger sensory receptors in the brain, leading to improved muscle function and reduced tremors. This treatment, known as whole-body vibration (WBV), provides a non-pharmacological option for treating Parkinson’s Disease; however, doctors usually prefer exercise combined with prescription medicines as treatments for managing symptoms of this disease.
WBV can help improve motor and non-motor functions, as well as modulate brain maintenance and plasticity for Parkinson’s patients. Furthermore, WBV provides a safe and noninvasive method of reducing tremors; studies show that just 10 minutes of vibration workout provides as much muscle stimulation as an hour of conventional exercise!
Researchers recently published in Frontiers in Physiology an innovative method for using vibrating platforms to alleviate tremors in Parkinson disease (PD) patients. Researchers demonstrated how such platforms could significantly decrease tremors while improving balance and gait, as well as building confidence and well-being for each patient.
Researchers believe this technique could serve as an alternative to deep brain stimulation for treating Parkinson’s Disease. They utilized a device which emits vibrating patterns on fingertips of hands, stimulating sensory neurons. When combined with coordinated reset stimulation techniques this can desynchronize abnormal neural activity associated with Parkinson’s.
In April 2021, Frontiers in Physiology published the results of this study. Researchers recruited eight Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients to use the vibrating platform for three months while receiving regular medical checksups during this time. Researchers assessed results using several clinical assessments such as TUG test, 6-meter walk test and unification Parkinson’s disease rating scale motor score assessments.
They evaluated a patient’s quality of life using both the BDNF scale and an interview questionnaire, with their results showing that a three-month WBV program improved TUG and UPDRS-III scores as well as balance and mobility; it decreased tremors, increased confidence and wellbeing levels and enhanced quality of life for these individuals.
Increases Coordination
Vibration therapy works by stimulating muscle spindles to send messages to the brain about which parts of your body have stretched or contracted, so the brain can determine a suitable response movement – this helps improve balance and stability issues that often accompany Parkinson’s disease; plus vibration can also increase circulation and flexibility, helping loosen stiff muscles and joints.
Vibrators can help reduce pain and tremors, but for optimal care of Parkinson’s disease it’s essential to combine vibration therapy with other forms of therapy, such as medication or surgery, which may have side effects like infections. Vibration therapy provides another option as a potential complement. Exercise or cognitive behavioral therapy.
Relieve Tremors With Vibration has been practiced for more than one hundred years. Neurology researcher Jean-Martin Charcot first pioneered this approach after noting how his patients’ symptoms eased during long carriage and train rides, creating the concept for treating them through vibration therapy. Other researchers since have created vibrating platforms and therapies, though their results varied considerably.
Stanford University researchers recently conducted a small study that showed how wearing vibrating gloves for two hours twice daily could provide relief of many major Parkinson’s Disease symptoms. The gloves deliver vibrations directly onto fingertips and stimulate sensory neurons to try and reset abnormal neural patterns that cause tremors and rigidity associated with PD.
Kanwar Bhutani, 58, saw incredible results after just four sessions wearing the glove in clinical trials. He experienced reduced tremors, improved balance and mobility, as well as an increase in confidence. Other participants have even reported being able to participate in CrossFit workouts and dance classes after donning it.
Initial evidence indicates that vibration therapy may help improve motor function and decrease rigidity, making it an attractive treatment option for Parkinson’s disease. Vibration is safe, inexpensive, and non-invasive when combined with other therapies; your doctor can determine the best frequency of whole-body vibration to suit individual tolerance, but most find that regular whole-body vibration sessions work best.
Reduces Pain
Parkinson’s treatment involves pain management, and vibration therapy is one way to alleviate discomfort from various sources. Vibration induces controlled stress that triggers endorphin release – the body’s natural painkillers which reduce perceptions of pain while improving mood – mimicking opioid medications without their risks associated with them. Furthermore, vibration increases blood flow to painful sites delivering oxygen and nutrients for faster healing.
Vibrations stimulate muscle spindles, small sensor-like receptors that report back to your brain how much stretch or contraction occurs in each muscle group, giving your mind information on how best to move, stand and sit. Multiple studies demonstrate the beneficial properties of vibration therapy in relieving musculoskeletal pain as well as increasing muscle strength.
Vibration therapy increases cellular activity and nutrient circulation, helping reduce arthritis or joint inflammation. Vibration therapy may be used over a large area of the body or specifically targeted toward specific muscle groups or joints using handheld devices that apply directly onto these areas.
Parkinson’s disease patients often suffer from musculoskeletal and nerve pain that negatively impacts their quality of life, often exacerbated by tremors, rigidity or slow movements. Researchers are currently exploring vibration therapy as an innovative therapy solution that may help alleviate some of these painful sensations.
One small study concluded that wearing a vibrating glove for two hours each day significantly alleviated Parkinson’s patients’ tremors, stiffness and abnormal walking while improving balance and mood. Although these results appear promising, further research must be completed before reaching definitive conclusions.
Vibration therapy takes on various forms, from low frequency sound massage to low frequency vibration therapy. University of Toronto professor Barry Bartel and his team in the Music and Health Research Collaboratory are studying its effects on Parkinson’s symptoms such as pain and balance – their aim being to establish how much vibration will effectively alleviate pain-inducing Parkinson’s symptoms such as these.
Improves Balance
Studies have demonstrated that whole-body vibration therapy (WBV) may help improve balance and mobility for people living with Parkinson’s disease, though results vary based on factors like duration of treatment and rest, control groups, frequency of WBV sessions, participant gender identity and type of vibration machine used. Yet the evidence remains promising and suggests WBV might benefit people suffering from Parkinson’s.
Vibration applied to hands can stimulate nerves that connect directly to the motor cortex of your brain – this may explain why vibration-adding gloves help reduce tremors and improve balance. Vibration also stimulates muscle spindles – tiny sensory receptors which tell your brain when your muscles stretch or contract; your brain then uses this information to decide how best to relax, move, or alter positions.
Vibration therapy also stimulates joints and other parts of the body, increasing flexibility while helping prevent osteoporosis and relieving any related discomfort. Vibrations may even help trigger your natural painkillers for instantaneous relief from any aches or discomfort. In addition to physical benefits, vibration therapy has also been known to enhance self-esteem and mood levels, reduce depression anxiety.
As much as evidence shows promise for Parkinson’s disease treatments, no cure exists yet. Standard options include medications, deep brain stimulation surgery and physical/occupational therapy – however many patients have reported minimal success from these options. Scientists behind the gloves hope to provide relief through an inexpensive yet accessible method – possibly gloves!
So far, the team has conducted tests of their glove on 20 patients, all experiencing some improvement in symptoms. Most responsive patients reported decreased tremors, decreased need for medications and better balance as a result. Researchers hope to continue studying its effects on other symptoms like bradykinesia and postural instability by following patient movements and brain activity off medications at baseline, three months and at follow up visits approximately every three months thereafter – specifically looking at its impact on four subcategories of Parkinson’s symptoms: tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia and balance.
