Work

Effectiveness of Whole‐Body Vibration Therapy on Handgrip Strength: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Year: 2026

Type: review

Study designs: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Although whole-body vibration (WBV) therapy has already demonstrated efficacy in improving lower-limb muscle strength, it is still unclear whether it has similar potential for improving handgrip strength. OBJECTIVE: To verify the efficacy of WBV on handgrip strength. METHODS: The search was conducted on September 5, 2025, in PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, LILACS, PEDro, and SciELO. Risk of bias was assessed via the PEDro scale, and certainty of evidence using GRADE. Meta-analyses were performed using the standardized mean difference (SMD) under random- or fixed-effects models according to heterogeneity levels. RESULTS: Thirty-four studies (1272 participants) were included (32.4% had a high risk of bias). Compared with controls, acute WBV showed no significant effect on handgrip strength, with moderate-certainty evidence (SMD = 0.09, p = 0.34). Chronic WBV produced a significant but small effect, supported by very low-certainty evidence (SMD = 0.33, p = 0.01). Sensitivity analysis excluding high-risk-of-bias studies rendered the chronic effect non-significant (p = 0.07). Exploratory subgroup analyses of chronic interventions showed a significant interaction for body positioning (p = 0.02), with significant effects for direct hand contact (SMD = 0.76, p = 0.03) and static standing (SMD = 0.52, p = 0.03). Compared with resistance training, evidence was inconclusive and of very low certainty (SMD = -2.43, p = 0.25). CONCLUSION: Chronic WBV involving direct hand contact may be associated with more pronounced effects on handgrip strength; however, these findings are exploratory, supported by very low-certainty evidence, and require confirmation by future trials.

Source: Musculoskeletal Care

DOI: 10.1002/msc.70246

Authors: Julien Dines Labarrere, Raphael Gonçalves de Oliveira, André Luiz de Campos Pessoa, Danúbia Cunha Sá‐Caputo, Mario Bernardo‐Filho, Liszt Palmeira de Oliveira

Institutions: Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Universidade Estadual do Norte do Paraná

Language: English

Topic: Effects of Vibration on Health

Subfield: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,240