Parkinson’s Disease and Whole Body Vibration

June 11, 2025

by Jackie Wicks

Medically reviewed by: David M. Joyner, MD, FACS

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that triggers a progressive deterioration of nervous system function. Rather than setting in all at once, the symptoms of Parkinson’s appear gradually, often beginning with barely perceptible symptoms. As the disease advances, however, symptoms, such as tremors, can worsen. Other side effects can also include difficulty speaking and walking.

Because there’s no cure for Parkinson’s, management of symptoms is particularly critical. While there are a number of conventional therapies, the burgeoning field of whole body vibration has shown immense promise in relieving Parkinson’s symptoms and restoring lost mobility.

In this article, we’ll discuss whole body vibration for Parkinson’s and how it may be able to elevate quality of life for those struggling with it.

Understanding Parkinson’s Disease

Before discussing whole body vibration (WBV), let’s take a moment to understand Parkinson’s disease—in particular, how it affects the brain and body.

As Parkinson’s sets in, nerve cells (called neurons) start to deteriorate. Some of these neurons are responsible for generating a neurotransmitter called dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical messenger that relays messages from the brain's nerve cells to other areas of the body.

As these neurons die, the lines of communication between the brain and body begin to fray. This impairs movement and balance. Without intervention, Parkinson’s progresses and its symptoms worsen.

The exact cause of Parkinson’s is unclear, but researchers believe these factors come into play:

Genetics – Some gene variations have been associated with Parkinson’s, but they are rare and not considered the primary source of the disease.
Environmental contaminants – Exposure to certain pesticides (rotenone, permethrin) and heavy metals (manganese, lead) may increase the risk of Parkinson’s.
Age-related decline – While young adults can suffer from Parkinson’s, it’s far more common in those over 60.

Men are also more likely to suffer from Parkinson’s than women. Scientists are unsure why this is the case.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s

As the disease progresses, symptoms usually include:

Tremors – Certain limbs may shake uncontrollably in a rhythmic pattern. Tremors usually begin in one limb and gradually spread.
Halted movement (i.e. Bradykenesia) – As dopamine levels decrease, movement becomes more difficult. People with Parkinson’s may walk slowly, often dragging their feet or shuffling.
Stiff muscles (i.e. spasticity) – Muscles become rigid and impair flexibility. These inelastic muscles often hurt as well.
Speech impairment – Those suffering from Parkinson’s may slur their words or struggle to speak above a whisper. They may also exhibit monotone vocal cadence.
Diminished unconscious movement – Simple acts like smiling, blinking, or walking with a natural gait may become increasingly difficult.

Current Treatment Approaches

Parkinson’s is incurable, but the good news is numerous treatment options are available, some of which have been shown to slow disease progression.

Common therapies include:

Medication – Daily medication can help manage tremors and facilitate movement. Some medications mimic the impact of dopamine on the brain, while others block enzymes that break down dopamine in the brain.
Surgical intervention – Some surgical procedures, such as deep brain stimulation (DBS), can benefit Parkinson’s patients. During a DBS session, the surgeon will implant electrodes into the brain that emit therapeutic electric pulses.
Lifestyle changes – Eating a healthy diet rich in fiber and omega-3s can alleviate some of the symptoms of Parkinson's, especially when combined with an exercise regimen consisting of low-impact activity focused on mobility (i.e., swimming, walking, stretching).

Occupational therapy may also help with navigating daily tasks, such as eating and bathing.

While these treatments can certainly help, they’re limited in effectiveness and usually serve only to slow the pace of the disease rather than restore lost capacities.

The Science Behind Whole Body Vibration

For those striving to manage Parkinson’s symptoms, new tools are always welcome. To that end, let’s explore the science behind whole body vibration—how it impacts the body and how it can mitigate the side effects of Parkinson’s.

How Whole Body Vibration Works

Whole body vibration works by unleashing a steady stream of precision vibrations throughout the body. These vibrations cause rapid reflexive muscle contractions (at a pace of up to 50 vibrations per second), which leads to significantly increased neuromuscular activity throughout the body.

Normal exercise only taps into about 40% of available muscle fiber capacity, while WBV awakens up to 97% of fibers.

These precise stimulating vibrations are produced by a vibration plate. These small platforms look similar to a scale and are incredibly easy to use. You can get the benefits of these vibrations as simply as:

Stand on the platform with feet spread slightly apart.
Turn it on and set the dial on the “low” setting to start.
Move in simple patterns, like shifting weight from one foot to the other.
Incorporate exercises like squats, lunges, and knee raises (if you’re able).

If your mobility is limited, don’t worry: You’ll still benefit from the vibration plate, even if standing still. When doings so, it’s recommended to maintain a slight bend in your knee at all times.

Whole Body Vibration and Neuroplasticity

Since the main effect of Parkinson’s is a breakdown in neuronal communication, any tool that can forge fresh neural pathways is valuable. Fortunately, WBV has been shown to enhance both neuroplasticity and synapse function (synapses allow information to pass from one neuron to another). This enhances the communication channels between the brain and body.

What’s more, exercise has long been associated with improvements in neurological disorders. Since WBV is low impact and highly effective at muscle activation, it’s especially promising in this regard.

WBV also doesn’t require a high level of mobility or physical fitness, which makes it an ideal way to increase neuroplasticity in those with physical limitations such as those caused by physical injury, obesity, and movement disorders like Parkinson’s.

Research Supporting Whole Body Vibration for Parkinson’s

Research has shown that whole body vibration has significantly positive benefits for Parkinson’s patients. In a 2006 study, for example, researchers assembled a group of 68 people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and divided them into a control group, and an experimental group.

The experimental cohort received five rounds of whole body vibration in one-minute intervals followed by a one-minute rest. The research team then assessed the participants’ motor capabilities using the UPDRS (Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale).

The treatment group demonstrated significant gains: a 16.8% improvement in UPDRS score. The control group exhibited only minimal improvement. When it came to tremors and rigidity, the WBV group demonstrated 25% and 24% improvements.

These benefits were likely due to a confluence of factors, such as:

Increased muscle activation
Enhanced neuronal connection and activity
Elevated nervous system activity

Studies like this indicate that WBV can contribute in a major way to bettering the lives of those struggling with Parkinson’s.

Benefits of Whole Body Vibration for Parkinson’s Disease

WBV facilitates communication between nerves and muscles. It also enhances postural control. This leads to numerous positive outcomes for those suffering from Parkinson’s.

#1 Improved Motor Function

Whole body vibration activates the muscles, joints, and nerves. These three systems work together to move the body, and stimulating them simultaneously encourages deeper coordination. When these systems get in sync, they’re better able to control spasms.

By maximizing the number of active muscle fibers, WBV also helps those with Parkinson’s tap into every available resource to support their mobility.

#2 Enhanced Balance and Stability

WBV has also been shown to improve balance in the elderly by triggering reflexive muscle contractions. While not all Parkinson’s patients are of advanced age, many are, and the symptoms they experience are similar to those felt by seniors.

Whole body vibration has a demonstrated ability to:

Correct posture
Boost reflex response
Reduce the risk of falls

In a 2022 meta-analysis of over 29 studies, WBV was found to have small to moderate, yet significant, improvements to balance and stability. These benefits were especially evident in areas like sway reduction, postural control, and fall risk. While some studies found WBV to be as effective as traditional physical therapy, others demonstrated superior outcomes when WBV was used with higher vibration frequencies (≥20 Hz) and sufficient session frequency (≥3 sessions/week).

This suggests WBV may be a practical alternative or complement for Parkinson’s patients struggling with posture or instability, especially those who have difficulty engaging in high-effort exercises.

#3 Increased Muscle Strength and Flexibility

As Parkinson’s progresses, muscle movements grow slower and weaker. This problem compounds over time, and it becomes increasingly difficult to perform complex movements.

The best remedy for weakening muscles is to challenge them. Traditional exercise, however, requires complex movements that are often beyond the capabilities of those with Parkinson’s.

WBV, because it offers passive stimulation, can facilitate muscle growth without the complicated motions required in standard fitness regimens, making it an ideal method to grow muscle mass and flexibility in Parkinson’s patients. This, in turn, makes it easier to resume life’s daily tasks.

#4 Relief from Muscle Stiffness and Pain

Parkinson’s renders muscles rigid. Because muscle tissue needs to move and flow, this stiffness leads to chronic pain, which can diminish quality of life.

But one of the top benefits of WBV is increased muscle flexibility. By showering muscle fibers with vibration, WBV can liberate them from their rigid state and soothe the associated pain.

Final Thoughts

It’s challenging to manage the symptoms of Parkinson’s. Conventional treatments, while effective in many ways, don’t always deliver the desired results. This is why WBV is an ideal supplement for those living with Parkinson’s who want to improve mobility, relieve pain, and restore their ability to live a full, active life.

Explore Power Plate’s Whole Body Vibration Collection

At Power Plate, we’re honored to assist in this mission. We craft our vibration plates to the highest standards and design them to suit all walks of life. Whether you’re looking for additional tools for managing your Parkinson’s symptoms, ways to regain your balance later in life, or fresh methods to elevate your athletic performance, Power Plate is here for you.

Discover how microvibration can transform your life. Explore our whole body vibration collection today.

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Mayo Clinic. Parkinson’s disease. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20376055

Cleveland Clinic. Dopamine. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22581-dopamine

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Johns Hopkins. Can Environmental Toxins Cause Parkinson's Disease https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/parkinsons-disease/can-environmental-toxins-cause-parkinson-disease#:~:text=Environmental%20Factors%20in%20Parkinson's%20Disease&text=These%20substances%20include%20the%20insecticides,2%2C4%2DD).

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VeryWell Health. What is a Synapse? https://www.verywellhealth.com/synapse-anatomy-2795867#:~:text=Synapses%20connect%20neurons%20and%20help,synapse%20to%20the%20next%20neuron.

National Library of Medicine. The effects of random whole-body-vibration on motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease. https://content.iospress.com/download/neurorehabilitation/nre00299?id=neurorehabilitation%2Fnre00299

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