Long-term results of vibratory stimulation as a pain relieving measure for chronic pain.

In the present study 267 patients with chronic neurogenic or musculoskeletal pain were given vibratory stimulation for the pain. The patients were observed for 18 months or until they terminated the treatment. About half of the successfully relieved patients (59% of the total number of patients) reported more than 50% pain relief, as scored on a visual analogue and an adjectival scale. Seventy-two per cent of these patients reported an increased social activity and greater than 50% reduced intake of analgesic drugs after 12 months of home treatment. It is suggested that vibration may be a valuable measure for symptomatic treatment of chronic pain.