Vibroacoustic treatment to improve functioning and ability to work: a multidisciplinary approach to chronic pain rehabilitation
November 13th, 2019
Finland
Elsa A. Campbella, Jouko Hynynenc, Birgitta Burger, Aki Vainionpää, Esa Ala-Ruona
Vibroacoustic therapy passes low-frequency sound waves through beds or chairs to help patients relax and lower stress. This articles focuses on vibroacoustic therapy's potential applications for patients living with chronic pain. While the greatest amount of relief came after practitioner-led sessions, self-led therapy sessions were also beneficial for patients, as a potential home care remedy.
DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION
DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2019.1687763
Posted byMahmoud Said
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Abstract/Description
Purpose
To study the use of Vibroacoustic treatment and an added self-care intervention for improving the functioning and ability to work of patients with chronic pain and potential comorbid depressive and anxious symptoms.
Materials and methods
A mixed methods study with four single cases. Participants received bi-weekly Vibroacoustic practitioner-led treatment sessions for five weeks, followed by a one-month washout period without treatments. Then, participants conducted four self-care vibroacoustic sessions per week for five weeks, followed by another month-long washout period. Participants kept diaries of their experiences during this time. Quantitative scales included the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0, Visual Analogue Scales (pain, mood, relaxation, anxiety, and ability to work), Beck’s Depression Inventory-II, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (Anxiety only). The use of physiological markers was also explored.
Results
The greatest improvement was from the practitioner-led sessions, but self-care was beneficial for pain relief and relaxation. Participants became more aware of sensations in their own bodies, and during washout periods noticed more clearly the treatment effects when symptoms returned. An added self-care phase to standard Vibroacoustic treatment could be beneficial for maintaining the effects from the more intensive Vibroacoustic treatment as part of multidisciplinary rehabilitation.
To study the use of Vibroacoustic treatment and an added self-care intervention for improving the functioning and ability to work of patients with chronic pain and potential comorbid depressive and anxious symptoms.
Materials and methods
A mixed methods study with four single cases. Participants received bi-weekly Vibroacoustic practitioner-led treatment sessions for five weeks, followed by a one-month washout period without treatments. Then, participants conducted four self-care vibroacoustic sessions per week for five weeks, followed by another month-long washout period. Participants kept diaries of their experiences during this time. Quantitative scales included the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0, Visual Analogue Scales (pain, mood, relaxation, anxiety, and ability to work), Beck’s Depression Inventory-II, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (Anxiety only). The use of physiological markers was also explored.
Results
The greatest improvement was from the practitioner-led sessions, but self-care was beneficial for pain relief and relaxation. Participants became more aware of sensations in their own bodies, and during washout periods noticed more clearly the treatment effects when symptoms returned. An added self-care phase to standard Vibroacoustic treatment could be beneficial for maintaining the effects from the more intensive Vibroacoustic treatment as part of multidisciplinary rehabilitation.
