Effect of Local Vibration Therapy on Pain, Joint Position Sense, Kinesiophobia, and Disability in Cervical Disc Herniation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background/

Objectives

Vibration therapy approaches are an effective and safe treatment option for musculoskeletal disorders. This study examines the effects of vibration therapy using a percussion massage gun (PMG) on joint position sense, range of motion, pain, functionality, and kinesiophobia in individuals with cervical disc herniation (CDH).

Methods

This single-blind randomized controlled trial involved 44 CDH patients divided into a Vibration Group (VG) and a Conventional Group (CG). The CG underwent a standard physiotherapy treatment heat application, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), and exercises for range of motion and strengthening. VG received conventional therapy augmented with vibration therapy (VT) via a PMG. Joint position sense (JPS) using the Laser Pointer Assisted Angle Repetition Test; pain intensity with the Visual Analog Scale, kinesiophobia with the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, and cervical dysfunction with the Neck Disability Index were assessed.

Results

Both groups showed statistically significant improvements in pain, kinesiophobia, disability, and proprioception after treatment (p < 0.05). When comparing the difference values between groups, the VG was found to be more effective than the CG in the parameters of VAS activity (p = 0.013). The CG had more improvement in JPS neck left rotation than the VG (p = 0.000).

Conclusions

VT, when combined with conventional physiotherapy, is effective in improving pain, proprioception, and functionality in individuals with CDH. These findings support the inclusion of VT as a beneficial adjunct therapy. Further research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-ups is recommended to validate these results and explore the long-term effects of VT on CDH.