PubMed Health⌕ Search
Home/Archive/PubMed

PubMed · 42248131

Optimizing focal vibration therapy for balance and gait: A systematic review.

Hongwu Wang·Raghu Chandrashekhar·Brianne H Borgia·Kyle W Ruffling
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review evaluated the efficacy of focal (localized) vibration therapy (FVT) applied to muscles/tendons on balance, gait, and mobility, with a specific focus on defining optimal vibration protocols (frequency, amplitude, dosing) and muscle-targeting strategies to maximize sensorimotor recovery. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted across six databases (CINHAL, Embase, Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, CENTRAL) from January 2000 to May 2025. Studies were included if they involved human participants, applied FVT therapeutically, and reported balance, gait, or mobility outcomes. Data extraction included study characteristics, intervention protocols, and outcomes. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. RESULTS: Sixty-two studies (n = 2090 participants) were included. Methodological quality assessment (PEDro scale) indicated 44% of studies met high-quality standards. Biomechanical analysis identified the quadriceps, gastrocnemius/soleus, and plantar muscles as the most effective vibration sites, given their critical roles in gait propulsion and postural stability. The synthesis of protocol data indicated a promising therapeutic window characterized by a vibration frequency of 80-120 Hz (primarily fixed sinusoidal waveforms at a single frequency) and an amplitude of 0.2-0.5 mm (reported only in 12 studies; amplitude was not reported in 23 studies), applied bilaterally for a minimum of 3 sessions per week over 4-12 weeks, which could lead to improved balance and gait performance with benefits sustained for up to 5 months. CONCLUSION: FVT shows potential to improve gait and balance, particularly when targeting lower-extremity muscles with optimized vibration parameters. To advance the field, future research must prioritize the development of standardized protocols and investigate neurophysiological mechanisms to refine FVT as a precision bioengineering solution for mobility deficits.

Explore related subjects

HumansVibrationPostural BalanceGaitMuscle, SkeletalBiomechanical PhenomenaCenter of pressureFocal vibrationGait analysisMobilityPostural controlProprioceptionJournal ArticleSystematic ReviewReview

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Hongwu Wang, Raghu Chandrashekhar, Brianne H Borgia, Kyle W Ruffling. 2026-06-04. Optimizing focal vibration therapy for balance and gait: A systematic review.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2026.110241

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed2027

Global Genomic Surveillance.

Global genomic surveillance has emerged as a foundational pillar of public health in the twenty-first century, enabling real-time tracking of pathogen evolution and informing outbreak response. This chapter examines the strategic architecture of global genomic surveillance, focusing on its application to arboviruses such as chikungunya virus (CHIKV). It explores the integration of genomic data with epidemiological, clinical, and environmental information within a One Health framework, while addressing critical challenges in governance, equity, and interoperability. The discussion covers the entire genomic surveillance workflow, from sample collection and sequencing to bioinformatic analysis and phylogenetic inference, and highlights the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in predictive surveillance. By analyzing global initiatives, operational barriers, and emerging technologies, this chapter underscores the necessity of sustainable, equitable, and interoperable genomic systems to proactively address current and future infectious disease threats.

Humans↗
PubMed2027

Systematic Dissection of Key Driver Perturbation Signatures in Single Cells via ECCITE-seq.

CRISPR screens, such as expanded CRISPR-compatible cellular indexing of transcriptomes and epitopes by sequencing (ECCITE-seq), enable the simultaneous measurement of transcriptomes, gRNA identity, and cell-surface protein expression at single-cell resolution to systematically interrogate gene function. This platform provides a powerful and scalable experimental approach for validating disease-associated regulators identified by large-scale association studies and other computational methods, including network-based analyses of multi-omics data. Here, as an example application, we describe an ECCITE-seq framework to characterize the transcriptomic consequences of perturbing multiple neuronal key driver genes associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) in human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neurons. More broadly, by integrating customized pooled gRNA libraries with different CRISPR effectors across multiple cell types, this approach allows for the assessment of the regulatory impact of candidate genes implicated in development and disease processes.

Humans↗
PubMed2027

Identification of Genome-Wide Chromatin Structural Aberration in Cancer by Hi-C Analysis.

Aberrant three-dimensional genome organization is a hallmark of cancer, often driving oncogene activation through mechanisms such as enhancer hijacking. High-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) maps these interactions on a genome-wide scale. Unlike earlier dilution-based methods, in situ Hi-C performs proximity ligation within intact nuclei, minimizing random ligation noise and enabling fine-scale structure detection. This chapter describes an optimized in situ Hi-C protocol tailored for cancer cell lines using MboI digestion and biotin-mediated pull-down to generate high-complexity libraries. We further outline a computational workflow that extends beyond standard topological mapping of compartments and topologically associating domains to identify cancer-specific aberrations. Specifically, we focus on detecting chromosomal rearrangements (structural variants) and characterizing the distinct circular topology of extrachromosomal DNA. This integrated experimental and analytical framework provides the necessary tools to dissect the spatial dysregulation underlying tumor evolution.

Humans↗