Seo Jeong-Woo, Kim Jung-Dae, Seok Ji-Woo
Digital Health Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 1672 Yuseong-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34054, Republic of Korea.
J Clin Med. 2025 Aug 23;14(17):5966. doi: 10.3390/jcm14175966.
: Spasticity is a common and disabling sequela of stroke that limits voluntary movement and functional recovery. Vibration therapy (VT) has been proposed as a non-invasive neuromodulatory intervention, but the existing studies report inconsistent outcomes due to methodological heterogeneity. This study aimed to evaluate the overall effectiveness of VT in reducing post-stroke spasticity and to identify optimal stimulation parameters via meta-analytic and meta-regression approaches. : A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Standardized effect sizes (Hedges' g) were calculated based on the within-group pre-post changes and compared across the groups. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses explored seven potential moderators, including the vibration frequency, amplitude, and time since stroke onset. : Thirteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving whole-body or focal vibration interventions in stroke populations were included. Vibration therapy significantly reduced spasticity, yielding a moderate overall effect size (Hedges' g = -0.50; 95% CI: -0.65 to -0.34; < 0.001). The greatest treatment effects were observed when VT was applied during the late subacute to early chronic phase (6-12 months post-stroke), with low-frequency (<20 Hz) and low-amplitude (≤0.5 mm) stimulation. The frequency, amplitude, and stroke onset emerged as significant moderators ( < 0.05). : Vibration therapy is an effective and clinically meaningful intervention for post-stroke spasticity, particularly when delivered with low-intensity parameters during the optimal recovery window. These findings support the development of individualized VT protocols and provide evidence to guide future rehabilitation strategies.
痉挛是中风常见且致残的后遗症，会限制自主运动和功能恢复。振动疗法（VT）已被提议作为一种非侵入性神经调节干预措施，但由于方法学的异质性，现有研究报告的结果并不一致。本研究旨在通过荟萃分析和荟萃回归方法评估振动疗法在减轻中风后痉挛方面的总体有效性，并确定最佳刺激参数。
按照PRISMA 2020指南进行了系统评价和荟萃分析。基于组内前后变化计算标准化效应量（Hedges' g），并在各组之间进行比较。荟萃回归和亚组分析探讨了七个潜在的调节因素，包括振动频率、振幅和中风发作后的时间。
纳入了13项随机对照试验（RCT），这些试验涉及对中风患者进行全身或局部振动干预。振动疗法显著降低了痉挛程度，产生了中等程度的总体效应量（Hedges' g = -0.50；95% CI：-0.65至-0.34；P < 0.001）。在亚急性后期至慢性早期（中风后6 - 12个月）应用振动疗法，采用低频（<20 Hz）和低振幅（≤0.5 mm）刺激时，观察到最大的治疗效果。频率、振幅和中风发作时间成为显著的调节因素（P < 0.05）。
振动疗法是一种有效且具有临床意义的中风后痉挛干预措施，特别是在最佳恢复窗口期间采用低强度参数进行治疗时。这些发现支持制定个性化的振动疗法方案，并为指导未来的康复策略提供了证据。
