Information Wellness Blog

In the mid-20th century, whole body vibration was explored as a method for strengthening bones and muscles. Today, researchers are investigating whether vibrating the body could provide relief to people living with mobility conditions like Parkinson’s.

Researchers found that vibrations designed to desynchronize neuron-firing can effectively manage Parkinson’s symptoms. To do this, they developed a lightweight glove with pin-sized holes on plastic pads strapped around index, middle and pinky fingers for transmitting these vibrations.

Symptoms

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that gradually destroys brain cells responsible for chemical messages between body systems. Symptoms may include tremors, stiffness and balance issues. While medication and surgery can ease symptoms temporarily, neither provides a permanent solution – currently impacting 1 million Americans. Vibration therapy offers an accessible, affordable and noninvasive therapy option as an alternative treatment method.

Researchers have long sought a compromise between medications and invasive procedures, such as deep brain stimulation (DBS). DBS works by implanting electrodes directly in the brain linked to a pacemaker-type device; its effectiveness, however, comes at a price and comes with risks. Many patients do not qualify due to age, other health problems or lifestyle considerations.

Vibration has long been thought of as an aid for Parkinson’s Disease, dating back to when French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot observed that his patients’ symptoms improved following long carriage and horseback rides. Charcot later created a vibrating chair which temporarily improved symptoms; more recently however scientists have experimented with applying vibrations directly to certain muscle groups; for instance Florida State University College of Medicine researchers discovered that using vibrations applied directly to upper body vibrations significantly reduced tremors among PD sufferers.

Over several years ago, Stanford Medicine neurologist Peter Tass developed a vibrating glove designed to be worn on one’s hand and stimulate only an area smaller than a dime of skin. Studies conducted using this glove showed it alleviates tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia (slow body movement) in those living with Parkinson’s Disease while increasing mobility; improving balance in those who had experienced falling before; lowering at-rest electrical activity in the brain which indicated its effectiveness at decreasing abnormal synchronous neural patterns typical of PD; these studies had also indicated it might reduce abnormal, synchronous patterns found within individuals living with the condition.

Contrary to devices that use vibration to increase blood flow and strengthen muscles, Tass’ glove works directly on the nervous system through its dorsal motor cortex nerve network. To test its effectiveness in more people living with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), larger trials are underway with Tass and his team running larger-scale studies involving more of those diagnosed. They’ve also designed CUE1+ which attaches directly onto breastbones for continuous stimulation using rhythmic vibrations.

Causes

Parkinson’s symptoms such as tremors, stiffness and balance issues are caused by brain cells dying off that produce dopamine – a hormone which helps nerves communicate about movement. Genetic traits make some individuals more prone than others while age and lifestyle can play an impactful role. Existing treatments for the condition are limited but sometimes effective; drugs mimicking natural dopamine levels within your body or deep brain stimulation may help some reduce symptoms in some individuals; researchers have recently identified vibration therapy as another potential option.

Fashionable Victorians donned themselves with vibrating belts, while neurologus Jean-Martin Charcot designed a vibrating chair after witnessing how his patients’ tremors temporarily eased during long carriage or train rides. While results from studies like these were mixed and often temporary, researchers have since found evidence suggesting vibration can help restore feedback loops disrupted by Parkinson’s.

Peter Tass, Stanford Medicine neurobiologist who holds the Harman Family Provostial Professorship, and his colleagues have developed a vibrating glove designed to be worn while performing daily tasks. It delivers 250 hertz vibrations through openings smaller than a dime in each finger to stimulate patches of skin on your palm. They conducted clinical trials with eight Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients for three months prior to publishing results in April 2021 in Frontiers in Physiology; measuring improvements across four categories such as tremor rigidity bradykinesia and axial balance (balance).

The study demonstrated how vibration therapy desynchronizes abnormal patterns of neuronal firing. Furthermore, multiple sessions were more effective due to brain needing time to unlearn abnormal neural connectivity patterns – just as when studying or exercising.

The glove may be one of many devices designed to restore motor control for people living with Parkinson’s, though further trials must take place for this to become available to consumers. Whole body vibration has shown promising results in some pilot studies. This involves standing on an irregularly moving platform similar to train travel in order to alleviate tremors and other symptoms; such devices can now be found at physical therapy and PD clinics.

Treatment

Researchers are making strides toward developing effective treatment options for Parkinson’s disease. Vibration therapy could improve movement and balance while decreasing tremors, stiffness, and difficulty walking – potentially acting by dissolving proteins that block nerve impulses as well as increasing neuroplasticity and stimulating synapses to boost communication between brain and body – helping those living with PD develop new neural pathways which reduce abnormal synergy among neurons firing which contributes to its symptoms.

One of the primary symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is tremor, which affects hands and arms and causes slow movement with difficulty with posture, balance and speech. PD symptoms result from imbalances in brain chemicals such as dopamine. Drugs mimicking dopamine are commonly prescribed but only partially relieve tremor symptoms; deep brain stimulation also has risks that might not suit all people living with PD.

Researchers are developing a vibrating wristband to treat Parkinson’s tremor. The device provides mechanical vibratory stimulus in short bursts that is applied directly to the wrists in order to stop hands from shaking. A pilot study concluded that it was safe, effective, and well tolerated; further investigations are ongoing to verify these results and assess whether this approach could provide on-demand hand tremor relief.

Vibrating gloves may provide another treatment option for tremor. Studies have demonstrated their ability to improve movement and reduce freezing that occurs during gait; using coordinated reset stimulation. Scientists conducting both preclinical and clinical research discovered that applying vibration stimulation directly to fingertips could reverse abnormal neuron firing patterns associated with Parkinson’s Disease. This is possible since fingertips contain many sensory neurons that communicate directly with the brain. Researchers designed a simple device for applying treatment, consisting of attaching a glove to a machine emitting vibratory pulses of 250 hertz vibratory frequency. They discovered that pausing during and between stimulatory patterns is key as the body needs time to unlearn abnormal neural connections and rebuild healthy ones.

Prevention

Focal muscle vibration stimulates proprioceptive signals within muscles that communicate with the brain to control movement, helping improve balance and gait in Parkinson’s Disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. Studies using various frequencies, amplitudes and body positioning have produced positive results; additional research needs to be completed however evidence points towards its use as both a preventative treatment for PD patients as well as rehabilitation therapy option.

One study revealed vibration therapy as an effective method to address “freezing of gait,” whereby someone suddenly becomes unable to move their feet. Vibrations were found to stimulate muscle spindles – proprioceptor nerve endings that send signals down the spinal cord triggering involuntary responses for movement – as well as stimulating motor cortex, the part of the brain responsible for movement control; PD disrupts this two-way feedback loop making it harder for clear instructions from brain to lower body.

Vibration therapy can be used to address ankles, knees, hips and spine injuries as well as specific muscles. To maximize results of vibration therapy sessions it’s important to avoid high amplitudes and frequencies, which could create a painful jarring sensation for joints. Consistent use will produce optimal results with some studies showing marked improvements in tremor and rigidity after just one session while for greater clinical impact the effects often emerge after weeks or even months of consistent use.

Vibration platforms come in various forms, from low-frequency plates that provide low-amplitude vibration to more powerful machines designed for exercise or rehabilitation. When selecting your vibration platform, take note of its frequency (measured in Hertz), amplitude, platform position and pivotality versus linearity when choosing one; pivottal platforms like Hypervibe move in an oscillation pattern to mimic walking while linear platforms like Power Plate move vertically for vertical motion that may feel more intense with higher intensities.

As well as improving balance and mobility, regular vibration therapy can also reduce pain and inflammation while improving sleep patterns and stimulating the release of mood-boosting chemicals in your brain.