Background/Objectives: Spasticity is a common and disabling sequela of stroke that limits voluntary movement and functional recovery. Vibration therapy (VT) has been proposed as a non-invasive neuromodulatory intervention, but the existing studies report inconsistent outcomes due to methodological heterogeneity. This study aimed to evaluate the overall effectiveness of VT in reducing post-stroke spasticity and to identify optimal stimulation parameters via meta-analytic and meta-regression approaches. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Standardized effect sizes (Hedges’ g) were calculated based on the within-group pre–post changes and compared across the groups. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses explored seven potential moderators, including the vibration frequency, amplitude, and time since stroke onset. Results: Thirteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving whole-body or focal vibration interventions in stroke populations were included. Vibration therapy significantly reduced spasticity, yielding a moderate overall effect size (Hedges’ g = −0.50; 95% CI: −0.65 to −0.34; p < 0.001). The greatest treatment effects were observed when VT was applied during the late subacute to early chronic phase (6–12 months post-stroke), with low-frequency (<20 Hz) and low-amplitude (≤0.5 mm) stimulation. The frequency, amplitude, and stroke onset emerged as significant moderators (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Vibration therapy is an effective and clinically meaningful intervention for post-stroke spasticity, particularly when delivered with low-intensity parameters during the optimal recovery window. These findings support the development of individualized VT protocols and provide evidence to guide future rehabilitation strategies.
Seo et al. (Sat,) studied this question.
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