Vibration and Parkinson’s: can it improve symptoms?

Fashionable Victorians attached themselves to vibrating belts or climbed into complicated machines designed to simulate riding a horse, all in the hope of improving their digestion or curing headaches.

Towards the end of the 19th century, the neurologist Jean-Marie Charcot noticed that people with Parkinson’s were more comfortable and slept better after riding in a carriage or train. Could it be that the vibration was helping to ease their symptoms?

Charcot developed a special vibrating chair to enable people to experience the same effect at home, recommending a 30 minute session each day. His student Gilles de la Tourette took the idea further, developing a vibrating helmet to apply the effect directly to the brain.

Fast-forward to the mid-20th century and whole body vibration was investigated as a possible treatment for problems with the bones and muscles. The theory was that the rapid movements could cause muscles to contract and relax quickly, increasing the circulation of blood and potentially making bones stronger. Appearing to have similar benefits to exercise, whole body vibration was even explored as a way to maintain the physical health of astronauts, who live outside of Earth’s gravity for weeks at a time.

The potential benefits of whole body vibration, which may involve standing on a vibrating pad, or sitting in a vibrating seat, are especially important for people who aren’t able to stay active because of their health or anxiety about the risk of falling.  

For Parkinson’s, whole body vibration has had mixed results in research studies. One review of 6 studies, published in 2025, found that participants who experienced whole body vibration saw no improvements to their Parkinson’s symptoms when compared to participants in the control groups. However, there was an improvement in people’s ability to maintain a stable, stationary posture.

Whilst the research is limited for Parkinson’s, there is some evidence that whole body vibration therapy can strengthen muscles and improve balance, which could in turn reduce the risk of falling. We'd need to see larger trials involving people with Parkinson’s to understand this further.

A number of different devices have been developed which aim to improve Parkinson’s symptoms by vibrating specific areas of the body. These devices aim to work in a different way. They don’t just improve blood flow or strengthen muscle, but directly stimulate the nervous system.

Wearable technology 

Researchers at Stanford University in the US are currently trialling a vibrating glove in a small group of people with Parkinson’s. The glove uses a technique called vibrotactile coordinated reset (VCR), and applies vibrations to each fingertip. Previous small studies of VCR in people with Parkinson’s have found that it can improve both wrist movement and walking gait, even after treatment finishes. The trial at Stanford is due to finish in 2027.

A wristworn device, called BeechBand, uses rhythmic vibrations to create a tapping sensation. The device aims to help with a range of Parkinson’s symptoms, like anxiety, tremor and stiffness. Research is limited so far, but a study at the University of Exeter is currently recruiting people with Parkinson’s to trial the device for 6 or 12 weeks to understand whether it has an effect on movement symptoms. Learn more about the study, and how to take part, on our Take Part Hub. You can also read a full review of the BeechBand on our Tech Guide.

A similar wristworn device, called Therapulse, delivers vibration to stimulate a nerve in the wrist. In previous research, it’s shown potential to help manage restless legs syndrome, which is common in Parkinson’s. However, there has been very little research specific to restless legs syndrome. We’re funding a trial of Therapulse in 60 people with Parkinson’s, to explore whether it can reduce tremor. The trial is taking place at the University of Nottingham.

CUE1+ is a similar device that can be attached to various points of the body including the breastbone. It produces rhythmic vibrations designed to help people experiencing “freezing” to keep moving. Small studies so far have suggested that it may help some people with symptoms such as fatigue, stiffness and tremor. A large study of 70 people with Parkinson’s is currently underway at Queen Mary University, London, to explore potential benefits.

As part of our Tech Guide, 7 people with Parkinson’s tried the CUE1+ for 4 weeks. Reviewers had mixed opinions: One individual shared: “I believe that CUE1+ has helped my symptoms. I certainly notice when I’m not wearing it”. Another reviewer said: “I was very excited to be able to try CUE1+ to help with my symptoms and, although it was not the silver bullet I was hoping for, this may prove to be of more help as my condition progresses”. 

They also fed back on how easy the device was to set up, whether they felt it was good value for money, and how practical it would be to use every day. One reviewer said: “The pulsating vibration and buzzing sound that it made was always noticeable to me in quiet environments and I felt that it was difficult to ignore it.”

Read the full Tech Guide review of the CUE1+.

Handheld technology

The Vilim ball is a handheld device which aims to use personalised vibration therapy to reduce tremor in people with Parkinson’s and essential tremor, which isn’t related to Parkinson’s. The ball uses a technique called sensory gating. This calms the nerve signals that cause tremors. 

Early studies have suggested that it could reduce tremor by 50%, and that effects could last up to 4 hours. However, these studies didn’t compare results with a control group (who did not use the device) and didn’t look at the difference that a reduced tremor might make to people’s ability to write or eat independently.

A more in-depth study of 60 people with Parkinson’s is currently underway in Germany. It’s due to finish in December 2027. Read the full Tech Guide review of the Vilim ball.

Research continues to investigate whether vibration therapy could help people with Parkinson’s. And there are so many variables to test. 

Where in the body should the vibration be applied? What frequency is best? What symptoms could it be effective against?

How long do people need to wear or hold a device for it to be effective, and how can we make it as easy as possible for people to fit into their daily routine?

For now there are no clear answers, and vibration is not an approved therapy for Parkinson’s. Many devices have the potential to ease some symptoms, for some people, some of the time. We’d need to see larger, controlled studies to understand whether vibration has the potential to manage symptoms, and help people live well with Parkinson’s.

If you’re interested in helping to find the answers, you can search for research studies which are recruiting people with and without Parkinson’s at our Take Part Hub.

And if you want the chance to test out new Parkinson’s apps and devices, sign up to join our pool of Tech Guide reviewers.