A literature review on vibrotactile stimulation devices for individuals with Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms. The high risks and negative side effects associated with surgical and pharmacological interventions are causing non-invasive devices to gain attention. Vibration therapy (VT) has re-emerged as a neuromodulatory device offering significant potential as an adjunctive treatment.

METHODS

We conducted a literature search in PubMed and Google Scholar databases up to April 2025 to retrieve peer-reviewed studies assessing the efficacy of VT for individuals with PD. Device parameters, protocols, and study outcomes were analyzed.

FINDINGS: This review included 49 studies (n = 1352 individuals with idiopathic PD). Device modalities included locally applied vibration, whole body vibration, and physioacoustic vibration. Overall, 78 % of the studies reported significant improvements in outcomes such as gait parameters, balance, freezing of gait, and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale - Part III, Motor Examination scores.

INTERPRETATION: VT demonstrates consistent short-term motor benefits in PD, but protocol heterogeneity and underrepresentation of key subgroups underscore the need for standardized, large-scale trials.