Effectiveness of Whole-Body Vibration Therapy on Handgrip Strength: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

INTRODUCTION

Although whole-body vibration (WBV) therapy has already demonstrated efficacy in improving lower-limb muscle strength, it is still unclear whether it has similar potential for improving handgrip strength.

OBJECTIVE

To verify the efficacy of WBV on handgrip strength.

METHODS

The search was conducted on September 5, 2025, in PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, LILACS, PEDro, and SciELO. Risk of bias was assessed via the PEDro scale, and certainty of evidence using GRADE. Meta-analyses were performed using the standardized mean difference (SMD) under random- or fixed-effects models according to heterogeneity levels.

RESULTS

Thirty-four studies (1272 participants) were included (32.4% had a high risk of bias). Compared with controls, acute WBV showed no significant effect on handgrip strength, with moderate-certainty evidence (SMD = 0.09, p = 0.34). Chronic WBV produced a significant but small effect, supported by very low-certainty evidence (SMD = 0.33, p = 0.01). Sensitivity analysis excluding high-risk-of-bias studies rendered the chronic effect non-significant (p = 0.07). Exploratory subgroup analyses of chronic interventions showed a significant interaction for body positioning (p = 0.02), with significant effects for direct hand contact (SMD = 0.76, p = 0.03) and static standing (SMD = 0.52, p = 0.03). Compared with resistance training, evidence was inconclusive and of very low certainty (SMD = -2.43, p = 0.25).

CONCLUSION

Chronic WBV involving direct hand contact may be associated with more pronounced effects on handgrip strength; however, these findings are exploratory, supported by very low-certainty evidence, and require confirmation by future trials.