Exploring vibroacoustic therapy in adults experiencing pain: a scoping review

Abstract

ObjectiveTo explore the characteristics and outcomes of vibroacoustic therapy (VAT) in adults experiencing pain. To give directions for future research and clinical applications of VAT in pain management for adults.DesignScoping review.Data sourcesBMČ, CINAHL Plus, Cochrane Library, EBSCOhost, EBM Reviews, EMBASE, Epistemonikos, ERIC, MEDLINE complete, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, ProQuest, hand search in unpublished sources.Study selectionAll quantitative and qualitative research studies and systematic reviews, without any date or language limit.Data extractionTwo independent reviewers extracted data on the study design, location and setting, the causes of pain, participants, vibroacoustic intervention, measurement tools, and key findings related to pain.ResultsFrom 430 records, 20 were included for narrative synthesis. Fifteen studies researched chronic pain, two studies acute pain, two studies both types of pain and one study experimentally induced pain. The description of VAT applied in studies usually included the description of research experiments, vibroacoustic devices and frequencies of sinusoidal sound. There was high heterogeneity in study protocols, however, 40 Hz was predominantly used, most sessions ranged between 20 and 45 min, and the frequency of treatment was higher for acute pain (daily) compared with chronic pain (daily to once a week). Outcomes related to pain focused mainly on perceived pain; however, other surrogate measures were also considered, for example, an increased number of treatment days or pain medication usage.ConclusionsResearch in this area is too sparse to identify properties of VAT that are beneficial for pain management. We suggest VAT researchers describe a minimum of four measurements—frequency, amplitude, pulsation and loudness. Randomised controlled trials are needed to establish reliable scientific proof of VAT effectiveness for both acute and chronic pain. Furthermore, clinical practice would benefit from researching patients’ experiences and preferences of vibroacoustic treatment and its psychosocial components.

Low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound suppresses pain by modulating pain processing brain circuits

“…Previous studies have demonstrated that optogenetic activation of parvalbumin (PV) neurons, one of the GABAergic neurons, at 40 Hz in the hippocampus or S1 triggers activation of immune cells 56, 57 or positively impacts mechanical nociception 58 , respectively. In contrast, vibroacoustic treatment at 40 Hz leads to a beneficial effect on a chronic pain disorder such as Fibromyalgia with widespread musculoskeletal pain 59 60. .…”

“…Previous studies have demonstrated that optogenetic activation of parvalbumin (PV) neurons at 40 Hz or tFUS at 40 Hz in the hippocampus or S1 triggers activation of immune cells [45][46][47] or positively impacts mechanical nociception 48 , respectively. In contrast, vibroacoustic treatment at 40 Hz leads to a beneficial effect on chronic pain disorders such as fibromyalgia with widespread musculoskeletal pain 49,50 . We observed that repeated ultrasound pulses at 40 Hz to multiple brain regions exhibit a distinct contrast to the brain oscillatory pattern of pain and ameliorate pain-associated behaviors.…”

Neuron Foundry Mach 8: A Concept of Multi-modal Neuro-supportive Energy Therapy Device for Treating Neurodegenerative Disorders

“…Vibration tuning forks are placed on acupuncture points, meridians, and body chakras. These blockages in several areas of the body are broken up by the vibrations and sound produced by the tuning fork [94, 95].…”

The Effect of Low Frequency Sound on Heart Rate Variability and Subjective Perception: A Randomized Crossover Study

“…In research studies, the therapeutic relationship has been less discussed and, therefore, the focus of the research has been on the tactile stimulus itself, this being the low frequency vibration. There is also a tendency to research the effects of LFV without the addition of the listening to music element that enables differentiating of the effect of music from the effect of LFV [ 2 ]. Although this may lead to greater understanding of the standalone effects of LFV, knowledge on these combined elements is lacking.…”