EVIDENCE SPOTLIGHT: Vibroacoustic Therapy and Pain Management
STUDY OVERVIEW
A scoping review examining how Vibroacoustic Therapy has been studied in adults experiencing pain, including the types of pain treated, the VAT protocols used, and the pain-related outcomes reported.
The review included research involving chronic pain, acute pain, combined acute and chronic pain, and experimentally induced pain.
STUDY DETAILS
Study Type: Scoping review
Studies Included: 20 research records
Population: Adults experiencing pain
Pain Categories Represented:
Chronic pain
Acute pain
Combined acute and chronic pain
Experimentally induced pain
Primary Focus: Vibroacoustic Therapy for pain management
Most Common Frequency: 40 Hz
Typical Session Length: 20–45 minutes
Treatment Frequency: Varied by study and condition
Chronic-Pain Treatment Frequency: Daily to once weekly
Acute-Pain Treatment Frequency: Often daily
Types of Evidence Included: Quantitative studies, qualitative studies, and systematic reviews
WHAT THEY REVIEWED
Researchers examined the existing scientific literature involving sound-induced, low-frequency vibration for adults experiencing pain.
The review was designed to answer two primary questions:
What characteristics and treatment protocols have been used in VAT studies involving adults with pain?
What pain-related outcomes have been reported?
The researchers specifically focused on sound-generated sinusoidal vibration. Mechanical whole-body vibration studies were excluded because the method of stimulation differs from Vibroacoustic Therapy.
HOW THEY CONDUCTED THE REVIEW
Researchers conducted a comprehensive search of multiple medical, psychological, rehabilitation and interdisciplinary research databases.
The search included:
MEDLINE
CINAHL
Cochrane Library
EMBASE
Scopus
Web of Science
Google Scholar
ProQuest
Additional unpublished and grey-literature sources
The researchers initially identified 430 records.
After screening the records for eligibility, 20 studies were included in the final narrative review.
The reviewers extracted information about:
Causes and types of pain
Study design
Participant populations
Treatment settings
Vibroacoustic equipment
Frequencies used
Treatment duration
Session frequency
Pain measurements
Pain-related outcomes
PAIN CONDITIONS AND EXPERIENCES REPRESENTED
The review included VAT research involving pain associated with conditions and circumstances such as:
Fibromyalgia
Chronic musculoskeletal pain
Postoperative pain
Temporomandibular disorders
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Cancer-related treatment
Acute medical pain
Chronic pain syndromes
Experimentally induced pain
OUTCOMES MEASURED
Pain-related outcomes focused primarily on:
Perceived pain intensity
Changes in pain severity
Pain-related disability
Medication use
Number of treatment days
Physical functioning
Patient comfort
Experiences and preferences related to treatment
Some studies also measured broader factors connected with the pain experience, including relaxation, emotional response, and psychosocial well-being.
MAJOR FINDINGS
The review found that Vibroacoustic Therapy has been investigated across several different acute and chronic pain populations.
Of the 20 included studies:
15 examined chronic pain
2 examined acute pain
2 included both acute and chronic pain
1 examined experimentally induced pain
The researchers found that:
40 Hz was the most frequently used stimulation frequency
Most sessions lasted between 20 and 45 minutes
Acute-pain protocols were generally administered more frequently than chronic-pain protocols
Pain intensity was the most common outcome measured
Some studies also examined medication use, physical functioning and other indicators of pain-related burden
The studies varied significantly in design, equipment, stimulation settings and treatment schedules.
Because of this variation, the authors could not identify one specific VAT protocol as the most effective approach for pain management.
ADDITIONAL REPORTED INSIGHTS
The review recognized VAT as a complementary psychosocial and rehabilitative approach that may combine:
Low-frequency sound vibration
Music listening
Physical sensory stimulation
Relaxation
Therapeutic interaction
Psychosocial support
The authors discussed the possibility that VAT may influence pain through several interacting processes.
These may include:
Providing a pleasant physical sensation that competes with or alters attention to pain
Supporting a relaxation response
Reducing muscular tension
Affecting how the nervous system processes painful sensations
Supporting emotional regulation around chronic pain
Addressing physical and psychosocial components of pain simultaneously
The authors also emphasized that future studies should clearly report treatment variables such as:
Frequency
Amplitude
Pulsation
Loudness or intensity
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
This scoping review establishes that Vibroacoustic Therapy has a developing research base in adult pain management.
VAT has been studied in relation to both acute and chronic pain, with research examining pain intensity, pain-related disability, medication use, physical function and patient experience.
The available studies do not yet establish one standardized protocol that should be used for every pain condition. However, the breadth of research supports continued clinical investigation and carefully designed patient-support programs.
The authors specifically called for:
Randomized controlled trials
Better standardization of treatment protocols
Clearer reporting of frequencies and intensity
Research into patient experiences and preferences
Greater investigation of VAT’s psychosocial components
RELEVANCE TO SICKLE CELL SUPPORT
Pain is one of the most significant and disruptive experiences associated with sickle cell disease. It may include recurring acute pain episodes, persistent chronic pain, or both.
Although the studies included in this review were not specific to sickle cell disease, the review demonstrates that VAT has been investigated in populations experiencing several forms of medically significant pain.
This makes the review relevant to discussions of VAT as a potential complementary resource for supporting:
Pain coping
Physical comfort
Relaxation during or following pain episodes
Pain-related stress
Muscular tension
Sleep and recovery
Emotional regulation
Daily functioning
Quality of life
The review is especially valuable because it does not rely on a single diagnosis or one isolated case. It maps the broader body of pain-related VAT research and identifies both the potential of the intervention and the areas where more research is needed.
WHY IT MATTERS
For people living with sickle cell disease, self-care may be essential to maintaining function, managing recurring symptoms, and recovering between medical encounters.
Pain can affect far more than physical comfort. It can influence:
Sleep
Energy
Mobility
Emotional well-being
Concentration
Work and school participation
Social activity
Trust in healthcare
The ability to manage daily responsibilities
This research suggests that Vibroacoustic Therapy may offer meaningful complementary support for:
Acute and chronic pain management
Relaxation and nervous-system regulation
Pain-related stress
Muscle-tension reduction
Rest and recovery
Physical comfort
Psychosocial support
Patient-directed self-care
Quality-of-life care
For the Sickle Cell Sanctuary, this review provides a scientific foundation for exploring VAT through a structured pilot program with measurable pre-session and post-session outcomes.
PUBLICATION & RESEARCH ACCESS
Primary Study:
Kantor J, Campbell EA, Kantorová L, Marečková J, Regec V, Karasová K, Sedláčková D, Klugar M. (2022)
Title:
Exploring Vibroacoustic Therapy in Adults Experiencing Pain: A Scoping Review
Published In:
BMJ Open
Volume and Article Number:
12, e046591
DOI:
10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046591
Research Access:
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046591