How has whole body vibration been studied after stroke?
79 papers. Randomized human trials: 38. Controlled human studies, including unspecified allocation: 12. Human studies without a control group: 6. Systematic search reviews, meta analyses and review overviews: 21. Animal studies, including accompanying cell experiments: 2.
All records from the Europe PMC MED and PMC title and abstract query were screened. Human studies have no lower year limit through the checked date; animal, cell and ex vivo studies are included from 2024 onward. DOI and PMID duplicates were removed and each group is sorted by first publication date, newest first. This is an abstract screened inventory of this query, not a systematic review guaranteeing all relevant literature. Whole body vibration in stroke is covered. Combined training, mixed traumatic brain injury populations and reviews also including focal vibration are identified in each entry.
Checked 2026-10-29 · 112 records searched
Randomized human trials38
40 stroke survivors were randomized to added whole body vibration or movements without vibration for 8 weeks; spasticity scores, surface EMG and lower limb motor function were assessed.
Top Stroke Rehabil · 2026 · PMID 42077180
35 stroke patients were randomized to additional whole body vibration (17) or conventional training (18); ankle proprioception and balance were assessed after 4 weeks.
BMC Musculoskelet Disord · 2024 · PMID 39354501
28 stroke patients were randomized to neurodevelopmental training (13) or training plus whole body vibration (15); 6 minute walking, pulmonary function and chest circumference were measured.
NeuroRehabilitation · 2023 · PMID 37125573
48 chronic stroke patients were randomized equally to whole body vibration or sham vibration for 12 sessions over 4 weeks; spasticity scores, H reflex measures and torque were assessed.
Turk J Phys Med Rehabil · 2022 · PMID 36589356
78 older adults with chronic stroke were randomized to 13 Hz, 26 Hz or 0 Hz whole body vibration conditions for 10 sessions; mobility, chair rises, 10 m walking and balance were measured.
Clin Rehabil · 2022 · PMID 34796725
64 chronic stroke patients were randomized equally to whole body vibration or routine physiotherapy; 20 Hz vibration at 3 mm was delivered over 2 weeks, with timed up and go and 10 m walking tests.
J Pak Med Assoc · 2021 · PMID 34783727
38 subacute stroke patients were randomized to a vibration platform (20) or ground exercises (18); strength, balance and walking were assessed after two daily 20 minute sessions over 2 weeks.
J Exerc Rehabil · 2021 · PMID 34285892
64 chronic stroke patients were randomized to added whole body vibration or routine training; obstacle height and depth clearance and stair climbing time were measured around 12 sessions over 2 weeks.
J Bodyw Mov Ther · 2021 · PMID 34391309
84 chronic stroke patients were randomized to 20 Hz or 30 Hz whole body vibration three times weekly for 8 weeks; knee strength, serum NTx and 6 minute walking were measured.
Sci Rep · 2021 · PMID 33420277
43 stroke patients were randomized to additional whole body vibration (26) or conventional training (17); arm range of motion and hand function were measured before and after 3 weeks.
Noro Psikiyatr Ars · 2021 · PMID 34526840
Show all · 38 papersShow less
30 chronic stroke patients were randomized to 5 minutes of 20 Hz whole body vibration or the same posture without vibration; cortical activity was examined with near infrared spectroscopy alongside gait tests.
Brain Neurorehabil · 2020 · PMID 36744184
36 chronic stroke patients completed 5 minutes of 30 Hz, 1.5 mm whole body vibration and standing without vibration in randomized crossover order; H reflex, muscle elasticity and Doppler perfusion were measured.
Sci Rep · 2020 · PMID 32001783
43 stroke patients were randomized to additional whole body vibration (26) or conventional training (17); balance, timed up and go and computerized gait were assessed before and after 3 weeks.
Noro Psikiyatr Ars · 2020 · PMID 33354124
21 chronic stroke patients were randomized to 10 minutes of 35 Hz, 2 mm whole body vibration or no vibration; H reflex and ankle spasticity were assessed for up to 30 minutes afterward.
J Bodyw Mov Ther · 2020 · PMID 32507149
60 subacute stroke patients were randomized equally to whole body vibration or arm and leg cycling alongside occupational and physical training; hand function and grip strength were measured over 4 weeks.
Occup Ther Int · 2019 · PMID 31065236
21 chronic stroke patients were randomized to horizontal whole body vibration (9) or control (12), with conventional training in both groups; static balance and gait were measured over 6 weeks.
Med Sci Monit · 2019 · PMID 30825302
48 patients with stroke or traumatic brain injury were randomized to standing vibration at 5 Hz or seated vibration at 1 Hz; knee strength, gait and balance were measured after the first session and 2 weeks. Both injury types were included.
Rehabil Res Pract · 2018 · PMID 30155308
30 chronic stroke patients were randomized to whole body vibration plus treadmill walking or no vibration plus treadmill walking; spatiotemporal gait measures and 6 minute walking were assessed over 6 weeks.
Med Sci Monit · 2017 · PMID 29031023
A randomized trial compared whole body vibration and conventional physical training in subacute stroke patients with limited sitting balance; 15 per group completed 2 weeks, with sitting, balance and mobility scales assessed.
Top Stroke Rehabil · 2017 · PMID 28335701
22 stroke patients were randomized equally to conventional training or an added 10 minutes of visually controlled whole body vibration; functional reach and timed up and go were measured after 4 weeks.
J Phys Ther Sci · 2016 · PMID 27942138
84 chronic stroke patients were randomized to low intensity, high intensity or no vibration during leg exercises; strength, spasticity, balance, mobility, participation and quality of life were measured around 30 sessions.
Med Sci Sports Exerc · 2016 · PMID 26918558
6 chronic stroke patients completed 4 weeks of whole body vibration and control in randomized crossover order with a 2 week washout; carotid stiffness, pulse wave velocity and pulse wave analysis were measured.
J Phys Ther Sci · 2016 · PMID 27134400
14 chronic stroke patients were randomized to 10 Hz or 40 Hz whole body vibration; center of pressure range, distance and speed during standing were measured before and afterward.
J Phys Ther Sci · 2016 · PMID 27064678
21 chronic stroke patients were randomized to additional horizontal whole body vibration (12) or conventional training (9); motor function, balance and timed up and go were measured over 6 weeks.
J Phys Ther Sci · 2015 · PMID 25995573
48 chronic stroke patients completed low intensity, high intensity and no vibration protocols in randomized order; oxygen consumption, heart rate, perceived exertion and blood pressure were measured during six exercises.
Phys Ther · 2015 · PMID 25592188
30 stroke patients with knee hyperextension were randomized equally to whole body vibration or placebo conditions; knee hyperextension frequency, 10 m walking and leg motor function were assessed after 8 weeks.
CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets · 2015 · PMID 26556074
30 stroke patients were randomized to conventional training or additional task training with whole body vibration; seated center of pressure and functional reach were measured after 4 weeks.
J Phys Ther Sci · 2014 · PMID 25276025
43 patients with poststroke hemiparesis were randomized to 50 Hz whole body vibration (33) or control (10); EMG, 6 minute walking, stair climbing and timed up and go were assessed after one session.
Am J Phys Med Rehabil · 2014 · PMID 24398576
20 stroke patients were randomized to whole body vibration (11) or sham (9); lower limb muscle architecture, isometric strength and balance were measured around 17 sessions.
Am J Phys Med Rehabil · 2013 · PMID 23636085
15 chronic stroke patients were randomized to whole body vibration (7) or usual activity (8); knee strength, posture and spasticity were measured during 6 weeks of training and 6 weeks of follow up.
Arch Phys Med Rehabil · 2014 · PMID 24067865
82 chronic stroke patients were randomized to exercises with or without vibration for 8 weeks; bone turnover markers, strength, spasticity and motor function were assessed before, after and at 1 month follow up.
Eur J Phys Rehabil Med · 2013 · PMID 23486302
30 chronic stroke patients were randomized equally to one whole body vibration session or placebo; ankle spasticity, H reflex, gait and foot pressure were measured.
Clin Rehabil · 2012 · PMID 23035004
82 chronic stroke patients were randomized to leg exercises with or without vibration for 8 weeks; balance, walking, strength and self efficacy were assessed, with falls followed for 6 months.
Med Sci Sports Exerc · 2012 · PMID 22330025
31 stroke patients were randomized to 3.75 mm or 0.2 mm amplitude on a 25 Hz platform for 6 weeks; strength, balance, muscle tone, walking and participation scales were measured.
Arch Phys Med Rehabil · 2012 · PMID 22289234
66 older patients with stroke related paresis were randomized in a study of adding 3 weeks of whole body vibration and balance training to inpatient rehabilitation; trunk stability, posture and muscle tone were examined.
Z Gerontol Geriatr · 2011 · PMID 21505939
20 acute stroke patients were randomized equally to 20 Hz whole body vibration or control; bilateral knee extension strength and EMG were measured over 4 weeks.
Acta Physiol Hung · 2010 · PMID 20511126
16 stroke patients were randomized equally to 20 Hz, 5 mm vibration or no vibration; knee extension torque and EMG were measured around one session.
Clin Rehabil · 2007 · PMID 17875558
53 patients within 6 weeks of stroke were randomized to whole body vibration or exercise to music; balance, trunk control, mobility, daily activities and sensation were measured during a 6 week program and at 12 weeks.
Stroke · 2006 · PMID 16902175
Controlled human studies, including unspecified allocation12
Records of 207 patients with stroke and knee osteoarthritis were compared retrospectively: 93 received warming acupuncture plus whole body vibration and 114 received routine care. Knee function, pain, daily activities and inflammatory markers were assessed.
Am J Transl Res · 2026 · PMID 41868923
A retrospective comparison of 139 older stroke patients contrasted motor imagery plus whole body vibration in 72 with conventional training in 67; arm function, P300, gait, balance and daily activities were assessed.
Int J Gen Med · 2025 · PMID 40621595
50 hemiplegic stroke patients were allocated equally to shock wave sessions combined with active or sham whole body vibration. Random allocation is not stated in the abstract; spasticity, leg function, balance and 3D gait were assessed after 4 weeks.
Zhong Nan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban · 2022 · PMID 35837775
Records of 130 stroke patients were compared retrospectively by use of additional whole body vibration; balance, timed up and go, maximal walking speed and functional reach were measured before and after 4 weeks.
World J Clin Cases · 2021 · PMID 34434993
11 stroke patients and 6 healthy adults underwent 5 minutes of 30 Hz vibration; spasticity, joint range and cortical activity by near infrared spectroscopy were measured before and afterward.
Top Stroke Rehabil · 2020 · PMID 31483746
32 chronic stroke patients performed exercises with varied whole body vibration frequencies, amplitudes and postures and without vibration; bilateral leg EMG and hip and knee acceleration were compared.
Scand J Med Sci Sports · 2019 · PMID 30763452
34 chronic stroke patients were tested under 18 whole body vibration conditions combining frequency, amplitude and posture; acceleration was measured at the platform, head, lumbar spine and both legs.
J Biomech · 2018 · PMID 29588022
30 stroke patients were allocated to three groups of 10 receiving computerized postural training with vibration, with an air step or alone; leg muscle activation and quantitative EEG were measured. Random allocation is not stated in the abstract.
J Phys Ther Sci · 2018 · PMID 29545700
30 acute stroke patients were allocated to three groups of 10 receiving biofeedback postural training with vibration, with an air step or alone; limits of stability and step length were measured. Random allocation is not stated in the abstract.
J Phys Ther Sci · 2017 · PMID 29200649
30 chronic stroke patients performed dynamic exercises under low intensity, high intensity and no vibration conditions; bilateral leg EMG was compared.
J Strength Cond Res · 2017 · PMID 28002180
36 chronic stroke patients performed eight static exercises under low intensity, high intensity and no vibration conditions; bilateral tibialis anterior and biceps femoris EMG was measured.
Phys Ther · 2015 · PMID 26023219
45 chronic stroke patients performed eight static exercises under low intensity, high intensity and no vibration conditions; bilateral vastus lateralis and gastrocnemius EMG was measured.
Med Sci Sports Exerc · 2014 · PMID 23899891
Human studies without a control group6
Patellar and quadriceps tendon stiffness was measured by elastography before and after 20 minutes of whole body vibration in hemiplegic stroke patients, with comparison of affected and unaffected limbs. Sample size is not stated in the abstract.
Medicina (Kaunas) · 2021 · PMID 34684074
A case report in one woman after stroke and patent foramen ovale closure documented tamponade, imaging, surgical findings and device position alongside a history of vibration exercise use.
J Cardiol Cases · 2021 · PMID 33717377
16 stroke patients received 5 minutes of seated 30 Hz vibration; F waves, spasticity scores and joint range were measured before, immediately after and 20 minutes afterward.
Top Stroke Rehabil · 2018 · PMID 29032720
14 chronic stroke patients received seated whole body vibration for 10 minutes before occupational sessions, 5 times weekly for 8 weeks; muscle tone, hand function and arm motor scales were compared before and after.
J Phys Ther Sci · 2016 · PMID 27065354
25 patients with poststroke leg spasticity received 5 minutes of seated 30 Hz vibration; spasticity, joint range, walking speed and cadence were measured.
Complement Ther Clin Pract · 2014 · PMID 24439649
23 chronic stroke patients completed four 45 second bouts of 30 Hz, 3 mm whole body vibration; standing and visually guided weight shifting were measured on force plates before and afterward.
Am J Phys Med Rehabil · 2004 · PMID 15502741
Systematic search reviews, meta analyses and review overviews21
A systematic review of 12 randomized trials involving 486 older stroke patients examined dynamic balance and whole body vibration parameters.
BMC Geriatr · 2026 · PMID 42271268
A systematic review of 13 randomized trials examined spasticity and stimulation parameters in stroke patients; both whole body and focal vibration were included.
J Clin Med · 2025 · PMID 40943728
A systematic review of 30 vibration trials involving 1,621 stroke patients examined arm motor function and disability, with separate whole body and focal vibration analyses. Counts cover both methods.
J Neuroeng Rehabil · 2024 · PMID 39707380
A systematic review of 25 whole body vibration studies involving 991 stroke patients examined physical function, daily activities and quality of life measures.
Front Physiol · 2024 · PMID 38322612
A network meta analysis compared balance scales across training approaches including whole body vibration in 46 trials with 3,741 stroke patients. These counts cover all training approaches.
Arch Med Sci · 2023 · PMID 38058731
A systematic review of 11 randomized whole body vibration trials involving 475 stroke patients examined spasticity, vibration parameters and adverse event reporting.
Front Neurol · 2023 · PMID 36779051
A systematic review combined 22 randomized trials with 1,089 stroke patients to examine balance and walking measures in whole body vibration studies.
Front Hum Neurosci · 2022 · PMID 36684839
A systematic review of 13 randomized trials involving 687 stroke patients examined lower limb function, balance and spasticity measures with whole body vibration.
Disabil Rehabil · 2023 · PMID 36367314
An umbrella review synthesized 16 systematic reviews of vibration in neurological disorders, distinguishing whole body and focal muscle vibration in stroke for gait, balance and spasticity.
Disabil Rehabil · 2022 · PMID 34225557
A systematic review of 12 randomized whole body vibration trials in stroke examined balance, mobility, knee strength and follow up timing.
Neurorehabil Neural Repair · 2020 · PMID 32106762
A systematic review of 20 whole body vibration studies in neurological disorders included 9 stroke studies and examined spasticity, mobility, balance and posture.
Am J Phys Med Rehabil · 2019 · PMID 31246611
An overview synthesized 51 systematic reviews of balance interventions in stroke, including whole body vibration, examining study features and measures across 248 primary studies with 10,638 participants overall.
PLoS One · 2019 · PMID 31323068
A systematic review included 46 whole body vibration trials across populations and 25 in meta analysis, with separate stroke analyses of 6 minute walking and timed up and go. Counts cover all populations.
Front Neurol · 2019 · PMID 31316447
A systematic review of 11 whole body vibration papers involving 391 stroke patients examined single and repeated sessions, physical function, participation and adverse event reporting.
Rehabil Res Pract · 2018 · PMID 30155307
A meta analysis selected 11 papers from four databases under a stroke whole body vibration question, examining spasticity, strength, balance, gait and bone metabolism. The abstract contains inconsistent population wording.
Biomed Res Int · 2018 · PMID 29487869
A systematic review of 7 whole body vibration EMG studies across medical conditions included 3 stroke papers and examined leg surface EMG and measurement methods.
Restor Neurol Neurosci · 2017 · PMID 29172012
A systematic review of 9 trials involving 266 people with central nervous system disorders included 4 stroke trials and examined whole body vibration and spasticity.
Clin Rehabil · 2017 · PMID 26658333
A systematic review of 7 whole body vibration studies involving 298 chronic stroke patients compared strength, balance and gait measures with no vibration or placebo conditions.
Top Stroke Rehabil · 2015 · PMID 26084320
A systematic review combined 9 articles reporting 8 randomized trials with 271 stroke patients to examine whole body vibration, balance, gait, mobility, strength and muscle tone.
Clin Rehabil · 2015 · PMID 25311142
A systematic review of 10 articles reporting 9 randomized trials with 333 stroke patients examined whole body vibration, body function, activity, participation and adverse event reporting.
Phys Ther · 2014 · PMID 24786940
A systematic review of 13 whole body vibration studies in neurological conditions included 3 stroke studies, examining gait, balance, proprioception, strength and quality of life measures.
J Altern Complement Med · 2012 · PMID 22233167
Animal studies, including accompanying cell experiments2
Rats in a subarachnoid hemorrhage model received 30 Hz whole body vibration twice daily for 30 days; brain edema, oxidative markers, glia, cytokines and Sirt3 were examined. Animal count is not stated in the abstract.
Front Biosci (Landmark Ed) · 2026 · PMID 42216524
Middle aged female rats underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion and 15 minutes of whole body vibration twice daily on 5 days over a week; cortical RNA sequencing and gene expression were examined. Animal count is not stated in the abstract.
Neurochem Int · 2024 · PMID 39214155
33 of 112 records excluded: protocol without completed data (3), whole body vibration exposure or separable data not confirmed in the abstract (1), scoping review or guideline outside the specified designs (2), no direct study of the specified intervention (2), animal, cell or ex vivo study before 2024 (4), narrative review, commentary or hypothesis (5), no abstract (1), population outside the topic (11), focal or handheld vibration rather than whole body platform exposure (3), measurement validation rather than an intervention study (1).
View the search query
TITLE_ABS:("whole body vibration" OR "whole-body vibration" OR "vibration exercise" OR "vibration training") AND TITLE_ABS:(stroke OR "intracerebral hemorrhage" OR "intracerebral haemorrhage") AND (SRC:MED OR SRC:PMC) AND FIRST_PDATE:[* TO 2026-10-29]
Search Europe PMCFrequently asked questions
How many primary human study papers are included?
There are 56 primary human papers: 38 randomized trials, 12 other comparative studies and 6 studies without a control group.
Which publication years were checked?
The query covers publications through 29 October 2026. Human studies have no lower publication year limit; animal, cell and ex vivo studies are limited to 2024 onward.
Does the paper count represent distinct clinical trials?
No. Different outcome or follow up reports from one trial may be separate papers. DOI and PMID duplicates were removed, but participants across reports are not added together. Reviews may include the same participants as primary papers.