Vibroacoustic Therapy and Development of a New Device: A Pilot Study in the Health Resort Environment

Abstract

This study was motivated by the development of a new model of vibroacoustic (VA) therapy device which, in terms of its design and characteristics, could be used in various health promotion and treatment environments. In the case of VA therapy, a bed or lounge chair is used to transmit special low frequency sounds for the purpose of affecting the whole body. In the review of previous studies, the results of applying VA therapy in the case of somatic and functional disruptions are described. In this study a new VA device prototype was used. The study was carried out at a health resort where, over the course of a two month period, visitors had the opportunity to participate in VA therapy. Twenty-six volunteers participated in the study. Data was collected through self-rate scales, which were completed at the beginning and end of the VA treatment session. The results of the study indicated an improvement in feelinga reduction in muscle tension, pain, fatigue, anxiety-as well as the suitability of the device and therapy for health improvement related purposes, integrated with other health services.

Potential of Vibroacoustic Therapy in Persons with Cerebral Palsy: An Advanced Narrative Review

“…In the 1990s, the physioacoustic method based on scanning the body with sinusoidal sound between 27–113 Hz and specially selected music listening was developed by Lehikoinen [19]. Other examples of vibroacoustic devices include Eakin’s multiple designs of Somatron Corporation first released in 1985 (Tampa, Florida, USA), the music vibration table (MVT) designed by Chesky in the late 1980s (there is no indication that MVT is in manufacture) [20], the HealBED first released in 1990–1991 (HealBED, Haapsalu, Estonia) [21], Multivib products (that use a mattress or a cushion with embedded vibration speakers, Multivib as, Trondheim, Norway) [22], Vibrobed developed in 2018 by Vilímek and Švarc (Vibroacoustic Brothers, Olomouc, Czech Republic) [23], the Relaxation Lounge V1 and V2 of Nex Neuro Vibro-Acoustic Therapy [24], Sonobed ™ from Heritage Medical Associates, P.C., Nashville, Tennessee, developed in 1993, and the Vibroacoustic Therapy System VTS1000 of Sound Oasis Company (Marblehead, Massachusetts, USA) [25] or Subpac (Subpac Inc, Toronto, Canada) [26].…”

“…VAT is also beneficial for its effects on quality of life, well-being, and stress management [28]. Concerning spinal cord and brain injuries, VAT can lead to changes in the levels of spasticity, pain, physical discomfort, general health condition, fatigue, and anxiety [32]. Although it is possible to find other information on the effects of VAT in normalisation of muscle tone in people with spastic CP [18,31], systematically led reviews on research about its effects (comparing some other approaches in vibration therapy) are lacking.…”