Whole-body vibration therapy for SMA
Last updated May 23, 2025, by Agata Boxe
Fact-checked by José Lopes, PhD
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) causes your muscles to weaken over time. Whole-body vibration (WBV) therapy for SMA, which involves sitting or standing on a vibrating platform, may help strengthen some of your affected muscles.
WBV can be combined with physical activity, like resistance training, to improve muscle strength, balance, and motor function. Of course, before starting WBV, discussing the therapy with your doctor is important to ensure it is right for you.
Understanding whole-body vibration therapy
During WBV, a person sits or lies on a machine with a vibrating platform or a body vibration exerciser. The device sends energy to the body, which forces the muscles to contract and relax dozens of times per second.
Although the therapy does not involve active exercise, it stimulates the muscles and can make you feel like you’ve worked out.
The cost per session of WBV treatment varies depending on where you get it done. However, cheaper is not always better. A qualified professional — like a physical therapist — should oversee your treatment.
What the research says
Studies conducted mainly in the general population and people with conditions other than SMA have suggested that WBV might be beneficial.
For example, a study of middle-aged and older adults showed that it can help improve balance and coordination, and a systematic review suggested it could increase muscle strength in older people with sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass and strength that occurs with aging.
Another study showed that doing WBV therapy for 20 minutes five times a week for two weeks led to a significant improvement in the balance and gait of patients who had recently experienced a stroke compared with people in the control group.
Finally, in a small study of 38 children with SMA, side-alternating WBV combined with physical therapy helped to increase motor function and mobility after 12 months.
Ultimately, more research is needed to determine whether some of the benefits of using a WBV machine extend to SMA.
Potential benefits of WBV therapy for SMA
The muscle weakness caused by SMA tends to worsen over time, often affecting your ability to move and be independent.
WBV training programs may help to strengthen your muscles and offer other related full-body vibration benefits, such as increased bone density.
It can also improve motor function, balance, and coordination by gently activating muscles and helping them interact, which allows you to engage in daily tasks more confidently.
Risks and considerations
Although WBV therapy may benefit you, you should approach it cautiously. Before starting, your healthcare provider should evaluate you for any preexisting conditions, such as cardiovascular issues or nerve damage, that may prevent you from using this type of therapy.
If your doctor gives you the all-clear, your physical therapist will show you how to use the equipment correctly to prevent injury and other side effects such as dizziness and nausea.
They will adjust the machine’s intensity and frequency — the number of vibrations per second — according to your symptoms on a given day, which can help prevent muscle strain.
Incorporating WBV therapy into your routine
Because living with SMA involves symptoms such as muscle weakness and fatigue, WBV therapy should be introduced gradually and with caution. Ensuring the supervision of a physical therapist is equally important.
Although you may feel tempted to try this therapy alone, it is not a good idea. A physical therapist can help you use WBV safely and tailor the treatment to your symptoms, muscle strength, and fitness level.
Start slowly with shorter sessions, and don’t overdo it. Your physical therapist may then recommend extending the duration of WBV sessions and turning up the vibration settings as your muscles get used to the therapy.
For best results, you should use WBV therapy consistently. Your physical therapist can tell you how often and for how long each session should last.
Complementary therapies
Your doctor may recommend pairing WBV with other types of treatment, such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy, to maximize its long-term effects.
- Physical therapy can include strength training and gentle stretching to target areas that need strengthening or increased mobility.
- Occupational therapy can help with daily tasks such as getting dressed or eating, which adds to the vibration board’s benefits.
- Speech therapy can teach you how to perform speech exercises and use devices that help strengthen your speech muscles.
Remember to also eat well to support muscle health and recovery. Consider working with a nutritionist to help you design realistic meal plans. Eating a diet that includes all the essential nutrients, like protein and omega-3 fatty acids, can help support muscle health and the potential benefits of WBV therapy.
SMA News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
