Recently a study was done on the effectiveness of Whole Body Vibration as a non-traditional therapy method for Parkinson’s disease patients.   Scientists have shown that short term whole body vibration therapy significantly improves the clinical symptoms (loss of gait, tremors, and akinesia) in Parkinson’s patients. 

In this clinical study, sample populations of 40 PD patients were subject to intensive therapy for a few weeks using a Physioacoustic Chair, a sophisticated device containing speakers that are strategically placed throughout the chair in order to deliver programmed low frequency sound waves throughout the body of the patient. 

Gait assessments and upper limb control tests showed significant improvements on gait stability and posture, increased stepping time and speed on the peg-board task, a significant decrease in tremors and less rigidity in PD patients receiving whole body vibration therapy compared to a control group that received no therapy. More importantly, this study showed that whole body vibration therapy may also be applied to PD patients that do not respond well to L-dopamine medication.  This study also suggests that WBV is more efficient (25% more efficient) than conventional physical therapy for partially reversing clinical symptoms in PD patients that do not respond well to L-dopamine medication. 

Whole Body Vibration is used for many applications including relaxation therapy, strength training, muscle toning, and for physical therapy.  According to this study scientists have found yet another benefit of Whole Body Vibration. 

Read more about the original study here.