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Updated: Feb 22, 2026
Whole Body Vibration Methods with Survivors of Polio
Published on: October 17, 2018
Effect of vibration on postural control and gait of elderly subjects: a systematic review
Atefeh Aboutorabi1,2, Mokhtar Arazpour3, Mahmood Bahramizadeh1,2
1Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Kodakyarst., Daneshjo Blvd., Evin, Tehran, 1985713834, Iran.
Background And Aim:
Gait and balance disorders are common in the elderly populations, and their prevalence increases with age. This systematic review was performed to summarize the current evidence for subthreshold vibration interventions on postural control and gait in elderly.
Method:
A review of intervention studies including the following words in the title/abstract: insole, foot and ankle appliances, vibration, noise and elderly related to balance and gait. Databases searched included PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, Ovid, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Fifteen articles were selected for final evaluation. The procedure was followed using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis method.
Results:
There was reduction in center of pressure velocity and displacement especially with eyes closed using vibration in healthy elderly subjects and this effect was greater in elderly faller and patients with more balance deficiency. Vibration programme training increased speed of walking, cadence, step time and length in stroke subjects. The vibratory insoles significantly improved performance on the Timed Up and Go and Functional Reach tests in older people.
Conclusion:
Vibration was effective on balance improvement in elderly subject especially elderly with more balance deficiency and it can improve gait parameters in patients with greater baseline variability.
