Clinical effectiveness of focal muscle vibration on gait and postural stability in individuals with neurological disorders: A systematic review

Abstract Background: Gait deficits and postural instability are common impairments among patients with neurological disorders. These impairments limit function indepen- dence and decrease activities of daily living. Focal muscle vibration (FMV) produces vibration signals affecting the nervous system. No systematic review has been published examining the influence of FMV on gait ability and postural stability in individuals with neurological disorders. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of FMV on gait and postural stability parameters in individuals with neurological disorders. Methods: PubMed, Scopus, PEDro, REHABDATA, web of science, CHAINAL, EMBASE, and MEDLINE were searched from inception to July 2021. The method- ological quality of the selected studies was evaluated using the Physiotherapy Ev- idence Database (PEDro) scale. Results: Five randomized controlled trials (RCTs) met the eligibility criteria. The scores on the PEDro scale ranged from seven to nine, with a median score of eight. The results showed evidence for the benefits and non‐benefits of the FMV inter- vention on gait and postural stability in individuals with neurological disorders. Conclusions: The FMV intervention is safe and well‐tolerated in individuals with neurological disorders. The evidence for the effects of FMV on individuals with neurological disorders was limited. Further high‐quality studies with long‐term follow‐up are strongly needed.