At first glance, talking about vibration plates, whole-body vibration therapy, and wearables might conjure up visions of tie-dye t-shirts and flower power posters. But vibration plates and devices may be a new way to approach wide-reaching health problems such as anxiety, stress, digestive problems, and even osteoporosis. But is their use supported by science, or is it unconventional quackery?
Stay with me, and you might be pleasantly surprised as I explain the science behind using vibration to improve sleep, bone health, mental health, chronic pain, and more.
The History Of Vibration & Healing
Vibration therapies have been used as a healing modality since ancient times (e.g., rhythmic chanting)
Vibration therapy to improve health is not a new idea. Recently, vibration therapy has been studied for its potential benefits for conditions such as weight loss, osteoporosis, anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), hearing loss and gut health.
Vibration Therapies Discussed In This Article
Whole-body Vibration
Whole-body vibration therapy involves the user sitting or standing on a vibration plate (described below) set at specific frequencies.
This motion activates the muscles, prompting repeated contractions and relaxations, which can build muscle.
Potential benefits of whole-body vibration therapy include:
- Improved sleep
- Reduced anxiety
- Lower stress
- Weight loss
- Help fibromyalgia
- Decrease chronic pain
- Better bone health; aids osteopenia and osteoporosis,
- Better balance
- Increased muscle strength-improves muscle building
Wearable Vibration Devices
This article discusses localized vibration therapy using wearables such as Apollo Neuro, Neosensory, Senstate, and HabitAware.
These devices work differently than a whole-body vibration plate and are explained in more detail below.
Each form of vibration therapy can stimulate different parts of the nervous system depending on intensity and frequency.
Uses:
- Improve sleep
- Reduce anxiety
- Decrease tinnitus (ringing in ears)
- Help age-related hearing loss
- Lower stress
- Help focus
- Stop nail biting and hair pulling (tricotillomania)
- Stop eye pressing (seen in people with retinal disorders)
- Stop skin picking (associated with anxiety)
We’ll cover what the science says shortly.
What is a vibration plate?
Vibration plates are pads spacious enough to stand on and raised slightly off the ground
A vibration plate is a device designed for whole-body vibration therapy. It is available in various sizes. Some feature a handle for balance, which is useful for older people and people with balance concerns. Several companies make and distribute vibration plates. The highest-rated and my recommendation is the LIfepro Rumblex Pro 4D. The plate vibrates at different speeds and modes, causing additional small contractions of muscles while simultaneously using large muscles for standing or exercise. See an example of how it is used for exercise below.
Wearable vibration devices
Here are some of the most popular wearable vibration devices and their manufacturer-recommended uses.
In the ever-evolving landscape of health technology, wearable vibration devices are emerging. They claim to enhance sleep, relieve anxiety, improve fitness, and contribute to overall health improvement.
Apollo Neuro Bracelet
Apollo Neuro is a bracelet primarily aimed at stress reduction and improved sleep.
Research on the device has shown it to improve heart rate variability. Improved heart rate variability is desirable and a predictor of overall good health. Good heart rate variability correlates with increased tolerance to stress. The company claims the bracelet rebalances the autonomic nervous system by wearing it several hours a day, including several hours at night while sleeping.
Several clinical trials are being conducted to examine the Apollo Neuro bracelet’s effect on conditions such as migraines, headaches, PTSD, Parkinson’s, stress, and post-concussion syndrome. If the studies show positive outcomes, the device could be a simple, low-effort way to improve sleep, mental health, and overall health with no apparent side effects! If you want to try the Apollo Neuro, you can purchase it using the button below.
*The patients I have used it with report reduced stress and improved sleep with no apparent side effects.
HabitAware Bracelet
HabitAware is used to stop repetitive negative habits such as nail biting and hair pulling
The HabitAware Bracelet vibrates when repetitive motions occur, such as nail biting, hair pulling, skin picking (often associated with anxiety), and eye pressing ( common in people with retinal disorders). The Keen bracelet improved hair pulling (trichotillomania) in a pilot study, and further studies are planned. A study on its use for nail biting is in progress.
Neosensory Bracelet
Neurosensory is aimed at addressing 3 conditions; tinnitus (ringing in the ear), age-related hearing loss, and profound hearing loss (deafness)
Neosensory is a wearable bracelet created by Stanford neuroscientist David Engleman. It uses vibrations and sound to retrain the brain to improve hearing and decrease tinnitus (ringing in the ear).
It has three different modes for different therapeutic uses.
- Duo (Tinnitus)
- Clarify ( Age related-hearing loss)
- Sound Awareness ( Profound hearing loss or deafness)
Tinnitus: Imagine hearing a constant ringing in your ear throughout the day. That is what tinnitus sufferers experience. Tinnitus is common and affects up to 15% of the population. Tinnitus is challenging to live with and currently has few treatment options, most of which are minimally helpful. Research has shown that pairing vibration with sound, such as with the neosensory bracelet, can reduce tinnitus. That is the basis of neosensory’s use for tinnitus.
Age-Related Hearing Loss: Neosensory is also used for high-frequency hearing loss, which typically occurs with aging. In a 2024 peer-reviewed study using the bracelet for age-related hearing loss, participants improved their understanding of speech after just six weeks of use, even if they were already using hearing aids.
Deaf Clients or People With Profound Hearing Loss: Neosensory is also used for deaf clients to allow them to sense the sound around them using sensory substitution. It can also be used for people who use and take out hearing aids for sleep. Taking out the hearing aids is unnerving for many as you frequently can not hear sounds of emergency such as an alarm or phone call when hearing aids are out.
The sound awareness mode can be used to train the brain to learn vibrations automatically that signal to the brain that “ the fire alarm is going off” or “the doorbell is ringing.” This can be life-changing and life-saving.
How does it do this? See the video below and the blue information box to learn more.
See the video here about how neosensory is used for deaf clients
What Is Sensory Substitution
Sensory substitution is providing the brain with sensory input in a way it may not be accustomed to, yet the brain will figure out how to interpret it over time. The first sensory substitution device was the white cane used by the blind community. It is a way of gathering information, enabling blind people to “see” obstacles through tactile/touch sensation. Braille is another example of sensory substitution. Feeling ( tactile sensory) the braille dots allows visually impaired people to read, which is usually a visual sensory input. Neosensory uses the skin (tactile sensation) and vibration to teach the brain to “hear” through the skin. It sounds like science fiction, but the more we learn about the brain, the more we see it as the future.
Rollers & Balls
Rollers and balls are useful for fibromyalgia, muscle tightness, and post-workout recovery.
Vibration balls are currently used primarily in the fitness arena to loosen tight muscles but can also be used for fibromyalgia or other muscle “knots.” They’re Great for tech neck! They’re easy to use and have no known side effects.
Vibration roller: This post-workout tension reliever also aids with stretches and improves muscle relaxation. It can be used for stretching during workouts or for any medical condition resulting in tight muscles.
Sensate
Sensate targets stress, anxiety and improving sleep
Sensate is a small vibration device about the size of a flat baseball that sits on the chest. It is used in conjunction with headphones/soundscapes for 10 minutes daily to help promote improved sleep and lower stress and anxiety. Limited research exists, but reports show this may be a simple tool to help manage stress and anxiety and improve sleep.
Uses For Vibration Therapy & The Science Behind Them
What the data says surrounding specific uses for vibration therapy.
Please always speak to your healthcare provider before starting any new therapy.
Anxiety/Stress
A recent study in college students showed that using a vibration plate during exercise improved anxiety and lowered stress when compared to the benefit of the same exercise done without a vibration plate. A recent animal study showed improved memory and lowered stress response when using whole body vibration therapy.
Autism
Vibration therapy is used in some people with autism to soothe and regulate the nervous system. A case report on a child using a wearable vibration device showed the disappearance of stereotypical autistic movements. Elec. A 2024 study showed improved sleep and anxiety in autistic patients using an electrical stim device on the ear applied at home. In the second study, electricity was used to stimulate the vagus nerve, but vagus nerve stimulation using vibration may be possible and looked into in the future.
Further studies and plans for home treatment options using this therapy are in progress. Side effects were negligible.
Balance
Regular whole-body vibration therapy has been shown to improve balance and help older adults transition from sitting to standing. When used regularly, improvement was seen starting at eight weeks of use. Improving balance helps prevent falls – a common cause of premature death in the elderly. Improving balance improves the odds of a healthy future. A vibration plate with handles is recommended for anyone with balance difficulties.
Cerebral Palsy
WBV is safe and can be used in many people with cerebral palsy. A study on whole-body vibration therapy in people with cerebral palsy found it improves balance, gait, posture, and motor coordination. Muscle strength and mass can also increase due to the vibration stimulating muscle that was previously not used to increase in size and strength. Please always check with your doctor if you have cerebral palsy before starting WBV therapy, as each person’s abilities differ. A vibration plate with handles may be required.
Cognitive Decline Associated With Aging
A 2024 study found that WBV therapy combined with resistance exercise may help cognitive performance and slow age-related cognitive decline. More studies are needed.
Fibromyalgia
Studies show that whole-body vibration therapy (WBV) can be effective in treating the symptoms of fibromyalgia, especially in conjunction with other exercise and treatments. WBV therapy helps balance, reduces fatigue, alleviates pain, and increases quality of life as related to health. However, studies on fibromyalgia and WBV are few, and further studies are needed, but initial results are promising.
Fitness
A 2019 study found that exercise done on a whole-body vibration plate five times a week for 10 minutes improved neuromuscular performance, flexibility, strength, and body composition. There is moderate- to high-quality evidence to support that adding WBV to conventional rehabilitation programs can improve knee muscle strength after ACL reconstruction.
Comprehensive research about whole-body vibration is needed to determine whether it provides the same range of health benefits as regular exercise. If it is used, it is recommended to be used in addition to, not in place of, your regular exercise routine.
Gut health
Studies on the effects of WBV on gut health in animals have shown changes in intestinal bacteria that point to positive therapeutic effects. Regularly using whole-body vibration therapy created a more diverse microbiome, which is good. As with other conditions and WBV therapy, more research is still needed.
Hearing loss
Scientists have studied the potential of vibrating wristbands and similar gadgets in addressing high-frequency hearing loss. Their research suggests these devices can enhance speech comprehension and alleviate related symptoms.
Lower back pain:
A 2024 meta-analysis found that Whole-body vibration therapy significantly improves pain, disability, balance, and proprioception in individuals with non-specific chronic low back pain.
Mental health (anxiety/depression)
Mental health studies have explored the use of whole-body vibration therapy on college students suffering from depression and anxiety in school. These studies found positive results, with WBV showing an improvement in students’ quality of life when exercising on a WBV platform vs. exercising without the platform.
Osteoporosis
Whole-body vibration can reduce bone loss in older individuals. It has also shown positive signs of helping patients regain muscle mass by increasing blood supply to the bones. Many studies on bone density and vibration therapy are in progress.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
The use of whole-body vibration therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction may be helpful, but more studies are needed as the information is conflicting. If you have pelvic floor dysfunction, I recommend speaking with your pelvic floor therapist before using vibration therapies, as it can be triggering for certain people.
POTS/Dysautonomia
A recent study showed promise using ear stimulation for patients with POTS/dysautonomia. POTS is a frequent component of long-term covid. This study used a device attached to the ear that stimulated the vagus nerve with an electrical impulse. Both vibration and electrical stimulation can activate the nervous system.
If a similar device using vibration could stimulate the nervous system, it could also potentially help millions of people suffering from this debilitating disorder and be done at home. The above-mentioned treatment was applied in a physician’s office. In the meantime, using one of the other wearable devices or a vibration plate may be helpful and is unlikely to be harmful.
On the contrary, whole-body vibration therapy may not be helpful for POTS as it can dysregulate the autonomic nervous system. More studies are needed as current studies have conflicting results.
Sleep
Vibration therapies have historically been used in many ways to help promote sleep; how many times have you known someone driving a baby around in the car to lull them to sleep due to the car’s vibrations on the road? However, using a vibration plate or wearable has yet to be extensively researched. A case study on a child with Down’s syndrome using whole body vibration improved sleep after using the WBV therapy. An ongoing study with the Apollo Neuro bracelet has promising preliminary data:
- 19% increase in deep sleep
- 14% increase in REM sleep
- 6% increase in total sleep time
- 11% increase in hear rate variability ( a good thing!)
- 4% decrease in resting heart rate
Vibration therapy is not meant to replace other sleep hygiene practices but may prove to be a welcome addition. Given the importance of sleep on overall health and the low risk of vibration therapies, if you experience sleep challenges, consider trying a vibration plate or wearable.
Tinnitus ( Ringing in the ears) Evidence has shown that using the vibration product UltraQuiet has demonstrated positive outcomes for individuals with tinnitus, offering relief in overall loudness, severity, and annoyance levels.
Repetitive behaviors ( nail biting, hair pulling, eye pressing)
The Keen bracelet mentioned above has been shown in studies to help hair pulling ( common in anxiety) and is currently being studied for its use to prevent nail biting.
Weight loss/obesity: Research is inconclusive about the effects of WBV on weight-loss efforts and treatment for obesity. Although there has been proof of lowered overall fat mass in individuals, there are insignificant effects regarding the percentage of body fat. More research is needed to determine if this would be an effective component of a treatment plan. Wearable vibration devices are not used for weight management.
Risks of vibration therapy
Most current research about vibration exposure risks pertains to long-term occupational use (jackhammers, etc), not 10 minutes on a vibration plate or a wearable.
There is very little information on the risks of using vibration plates, which are recommended for 10 minutes a day, or wearable devices, which can not be risk-compared to whole-body vibration.
WBV side effects depend on the vibration settings, such as the frequency and duration. However, more research is needed to explore the effect of WBV on most conditions, which means that many side effects and risks are still unknown. Consult with a medical professional before engaging with vibration therapy to ensure it will not conflict with any other conditions you experience.
Who Should Avoid Using Whole Body Vibration Plates?
People with:
- Heart disease or cardiovascular conditions should speak to their provider before using the vibration plate
- History of heart attack or stroke
- Pacemaker for heart conditions
- Blood clotting disorder
- Are on blood thinning medication
- Pregnancy
- Recent surgery
- Compression fractures or advanced osteoporosis
- Balance Issues- unless using a handed plate with supervision
- If you have any of the following, use it cautiously: Low back pain, nerve disorders, and pelvic floor dysfunction (It can be helpful for all but is not tolerated by always tolerated).
Who Should Avoid Wearable Vibration Devices
At this time, there are no known contraindications to wearable vibration devices. Do not use one if you have an allergic response to the band.
Is Vibration Therapy For You?
History and research have shown us that whole-body vibration (typically done on a vibration plate) can improve health. It can lower inflammation, decrease stress, improve sleep mood, bone health, gut health, and more. While individual vibration devices and wearables have gained popularity for treating different conditions, more research is generally needed to provide answers regarding the specific devices mentioned. Most vibration therapy is low-risk when used appropriately and may benefit immensely. So, if you’re interested in vibration therapy, with or without one of the devices above, speak to your medical professional to ensure it suits your health needs and consider trying it if approved by your provider. It can be a fantastic tool for health!
Additional References
- Apollo Nuero Prelimary Sleep Study Results
- Bimodal stimulation for the reduction of Tinnitus
- Personalized Digital Healthcare Beyond The Pandemic
- Cross-modal sensory boosting to improve high-frequency hearing loss
- Effects of Whole-Body Vibration Therapy in Patients with Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Literature Review
- Effects of whole-body vibration training frequency on neuromuscular performance: a randomized controlled study
- Effect of Whole-body Vibration on Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Quality of Life in College Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- Is whole-body vibration a good way to lose weight and improve fitness?
- Sensate Internal Study On Sleep
- The effects of whole body vibration therapy on reducing fat mass in the adult general population: A systematic review and meta-analyses
- Tinnitus improvement with ultra-high-frequency vibration therapy
- Using vibration to decrease pain in the ER
- Use of vibration therapy in orthopaedics
- Vibration therapy to improve pain and function in patients with chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis
- Whole-body vibration training improves balance control and sit-to-stand performance among middle-aged and older adults: a pilot randomized controlled trial
- Whole Body Vibration Training Improves Maximal Strength of the Knee Extensors and time-to-exhaustion and Attenuates Neuromuscular Fatigue
- Whole Body Vibration Triggers a Change in the Mutual Shaping State of Intestinal Microbiota and Body’s Immunity
- Whole-Body Vibration to Treat Low Back Pain: Fact or Fad?
- Whole body vibration exercise training for fibromyalgia
- Whole-Body Vibration Therapy as a Modality for Treatment of Senile and Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: A Review Article
- Whole-body vibration training in obese subjects: A systematic review
- Whole Body Vibration Triggers a Change in the Mutual Shaping State of Intestinal Microbiota and Body’s Immunity
