title: Clinical applications of vibration therapy in orthopaedic practice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vibration therapy (VT) has been proposed as an option to improve physical performance and reduce the negative effects of ageing on bone, muscles and tendons. Several discrepancies exist on the type of applications, frequency and magnitude. These differences reflex on the contradictory clinical results in literature. Aim of the present study is to carry on an exhaustive review to focus on technical options on the market, clinical applications in orthopaedic practice and expected outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  a literature review using the key words "vibration therapy" and "whole-body vibration" and "orthopaedics" was performed. After checking the available abstracts 71 full text articles were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  fifty-one articles focused on the effects of VT on muscles and tendons reporting ways of action and clinical outcomes. In a similar way 20 studies focused on the influence of VT on bone tissue with regard on ways of action and clinical trials.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  VT provides anabolic mechanical signals to bone and musculo-tendinous system. The best effects seem to be achieved with devices that deliver low-intensity stimuli at high frequencies providing linear horizontal displacement.
authors.affiliation: Casa di Cura Villa Betania, Rome, Italy; Marrelli Hospital, Crotone, Italy.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cerciello
authors.affiliation: Rome American Hospital, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.affiliation: Ospedali Riuniti Padova Sud, ULSS 17, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Visonà
authors.affiliation: Università degli Studi del Molise, Campobasso, Italy.
authors.forename: Katia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Corona
authors.affiliation: University of Rome "Tor Vergata", School of Medicine, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Oliva
keywords: aged; athletes; electric stimulation therapy; osteoporosis; physical therapy modalities; rehabilitation