Vascular and Neural Response to Focal Vibration, Sensory Feedback, and Piezo Ion Channel Signaling

Abstract

Focal vibration therapy seeks to restore the physiological function of tissues and the nervous system. Recommendations for vibration settings, e.g., that could improve residual limb health and prosthesis acceptance in people with amputation, are pending. To establish a physiological connection between focal vibration settings, clinical outcomes, and molecular and neuronal mechanisms, we combined the literature on focal vibration therapy, vibrotactile feedback, mechanosensitive Piezo ion channels, touch, proprioception, neuromodulation, and the recovery of blood vessels and nerves. In summary, intermittent focal vibration increases endothelial shear stress when applied superficially to blood vessels and tissues and triggers Piezo1 signaling, supporting the repair and formation of blood vessels and nerves. Conversely, stimulating Piezo1 in peripheral axon growth cones could reduce the growth of painful neuromas. Vibrotactile feedback also creates sensory inputs to the motor cortex, predominantly through Piezo2-related channels, and modulates sensory signals in the dorsal horn and ascending arousal system. Thus, sensory feedback supports physiological recovery from maladaptations and can alleviate phantom pain and promote body awareness and physical activity. We recommend focal vibration of phantom limb maps with frequencies from ~60–120 Hz and amplitudes up to 1 mm to positively affect motor control, locomotion, pain, nerves, and blood vessels while avoiding adverse effects.

Vibrotactile Feedback for a Person with Transradial Amputation and Visual Loss: A Case Report

“…The results of the current case study offer further support that vibratory stimulation of the sense of touch has the potential to positively and systemically affect the central nervous system of people with transradial amputation with or without vision loss [26,32,58,59]. Sensory feedback from the prosthetic fingers and hand improved the manual dexterity of the myoelectric multi-grip prosthetic hand by improving grasping ability and coordination in a person with transradial amputation and concomitant vision loss.…”

“…However, this approach does not provide spatial information, which is needed to improve grasping, holding, and releasing objects, while also reducing reliance on visual control [11,26,27]. In addition to improved prosthetic dexterity, somatosensory feedback for people with upper-limb amputation has been shown to improve the utility and acceptance of the prosthesis, thus increasing social participation and quality of life [11,26,28], as well as treating the perception of pain in amputated areas of the limb, known as phantom limb pain [26,[29][30][31][32].…”

Vibrotactile feedback in m‐commerce: Stimulating perceived control and perceived ownership to increase anticipated satisfaction

“…Accordingly, this has only been evidenced visually, as per Luangrath et al (2022) through a virtual hand. However, we evidence that this also occurs from vibrotactile feedback given that vibrations are a form of stimulation (Eid & Al Osman, 2016;Penasso et al, 2023;Radhakrishnan et al, 2023). Third, the results evidence how vibrotactile feedback influences consumer decision making, potentially reconciling highlighted conflicts in extant literature (e.g., Hampton & Hildebrand, 2020;Manshad & Brannon, 2021), where these effects varied across product categories and individual differences in need for touch.…”

“…Past research shows that vibrations increase task efficacy, such as balancing (Ballardini et al, 2020), task precision (Pena et al, 2019), and object manipulation (Stepp et al, 2012). Vibrations, a proximal cue, are effective at focusing attention because they are highly stimulating (Eid & Al Osman, 2016;Penasso et al, 2023;Radhakrishnan et al, 2023). In particular, former research investigating vibrations highlights control as a means to these benefits.…”

“…Beyond being merely pleasant, though, vibrations are highly arousing and stimulating (i.e., they naturally grab attention such as when receiving smartwatch alerts or vibration‐mode phone calls). We contend that because of their stimulating qualities (Eid & Al Osman, 2016; Penasso et al, 2023; Radhakrishnan et al, 2023), vibrations provide a means to increase psychological ownership through the stimulation motivation.…”