Exploring vibroacoustic therapy in adults experiencing pain: a scoping review

Vibroacoustic therapy in the treatment of patients with COVID-19 complicated by respiratory failure: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Introduction

Coronavirus infection is a dangerous airborne disease that can lead to serious lung damage. Data on the effectiveness of low-frequency chest vibrations in the treatment of lung diseases are available; however, not so many of them exist. Vibroacoustic pulmonary therapy is a component of physiotherapy that improves lung perfusion and drainage without requiring active patient participation. This study aimed to increase statistical efficiency through maximizing the relevant information obtained from the clinical data. Calculating the sample size to determine the power of subsequent studies was also necessary.

Research methods

A pilot randomized parallel trial involving 60 patients was conducted. The patients were divided into two equal groups, where they received sessions of vibroacoustic pulmonary therapy using the "VibroLung" device in two modes "acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)" and "Pneumonia," with identical treatment. The patients were > 18 years old with detected COVID-19 by PCR and grade 2 and 3 lung lesions detected by computer tomography (CT). Blood sampling was performed in the morning at the same time before and after the hardware massage to determine PaO2, PaCO2, and P/F.

Results

As a result of the test, the following data were obtained: on the first day in the group using the "ARDS" mode, PaO2 indicators averaged 65, CI 95% [58.6-73.2] and on average 77.5, CI 95% [69.8-85.2], "before" and "after," respectively, which indicates improved oxygenation after the procedure. However, in the second group with the "Pneumonia" mode after its use, PaCO2 was higher after the session, on average 48.7, CI 95% [40.8-56.6], whereas before that, the following indicators had, on average 43.6, CI 95% [37.2-50].

Conclusion

Thus, the data obtained yielded ambiguous results, which are the basis for further study in future randomized controlled trials. As the treatment of coronavirus infection has no etiological treatment, even small shifts in the therapy of this category of patients can be significant.

Clinical trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT05143372.

The Effect of Low Frequency Sound on Heart Rate Variability and Subjective Perception: A Randomized Crossover Study

Background: Vibroacoustic therapy (VAT) uses low-frequency sound, often combined with listening to music, for therapeutic purposes. However, the impact of low-frequency vibration (LFV) on physiological functions and subjective perception is relatively unknown. Methods: We conducted a randomized cross-over study with the aim of comparing the effect of constant LFV of 40 Hz, its amplitude modulation, and the placebo condition on heart rate variability (HRV), stress perception (measured by visual analogue scales for stress) and mood (measured by UWIST Mood Adjective Check List). Results: Research experiments with various interventions (constant LFV with sound of nature (river in forest), amplitude modulation of the same LFV with sounds of nature and sounds of nature without LFV) were realised involving 24 participants. It was found there was an effect on HRV, stress perception and mood after the interventions. However, there were only seldomly experienced, and mostly nonsignificant, differences between the intervention conditions, so the effects may be attributed to factors other than LFV. Conclusions: Large scale experimental studies are needed to verify the preliminary findings and to explore various coinciding factors that may have influenced the results of this study, e.g., type of autonomic nervous system. We propose that the effect of LFV exposure may differ when combined with listening to music, and this hypothesis should be investigated in future studies.