The Effect of High Frequency Low Amplitude (HFLA) Vibration on Blood Flow - Literature Review

Authors

Zara Soomro, HCA HealthcareFollow
Patrick Feng, HCA HealthcareFollow
Olufunmilola Adeleye, HCA HealthcareFollow
Yi Lei, HCA HealthcareFollow
Aaishah Vohra, HCA HealthcareFollow
Malinda Hansen
Michele McCarroll, HCA HealthcareFollow

Files

Division

North Texas

Hospital

Medical City Fort Worth

Specialty

Family Medicine

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

2025

Keywords

diabetic foot ulcers, circulation

Disciplines

Endocrine System Diseases | Family Medicine | Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Diabetic foot ulcers are a major source of preventable morbidity in adults with diabetes; however, complications impose an increased burden on patients and healthcare systems. Vibration therapy is a potential new modality for DFU treatment, which may be more accessible to individuals. Literature pertaining to the effect of high-frequency low amplitude (HFLA) vibrotherapy on wound healing needs a literature review to help synthesize and integrate the empirical studies' results. The purpose of this study is to review how vibration physiology relates to skin blood flow which impacts wound healing based on previous studies. METHODS: A selective literature review was conducted to investigate the relationship between HFLA vibration therapy and blood flow, which helps with wound care. The selective review was performed using Cooper’s (1988) Procedure for synthesizing literature through the following process: Problem formation, data collection, data evaluation, analysis and interpretation, and limitations to the study. The contents were reviewed to ensure that the articles met the requirements and accuracy of the search. The research aim was to systematically identify the literature to establish the connection between vibrotherapy and blood flow. The articles were later grouped according to their contribution to the research - mechanism of action, frequency types, future applications, and adverse effects. RESULTS: After reviewing and categorizing the papers into major themes, there were four major trends from which the content emerged. The trends included the following: mechanism of action, correct frequency, applications of vibration therapy and adverse reaction to vibration therapy. Vibration therapy works by stimulating a tonic vibration reflex which causes angiogenesis and granulation tissue formation, which leads to increased skin blood flow, vasodilation and microcirculatory alterations. Vibration frequency is a dependent response of the vascular system to repetitive vibration, i.e. increased vibration frequency leads to augmented skin blood flow. Due to the effects of vibration therapy on enhancing blood flow, it is suggested that vibration therapy could be a leading treatment modality to wounds, diabetic or stage I/II ulcers, muscle recovery, cellulite therapy, and skin aging. CONCLUSION: This literature review revealed that vibrotherapy induces vasodilation, which enhances the microcirculation, and by extension, wound healing. These wound-healing properties can be applied in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, bone fractures, and even cosmetic procedures.

Original Publisher

HCA Healthcare Graduate Medical Education

Recommended Citation

Soomro, Zara; Feng, Patrick; Adeleye, Olufunmilola; Lei, Yi; Vohra, Aaishah; Hansen, Malinda; and McCarroll, Michele, "The Effect of High Frequency Low Amplitude (HFLA) Vibration on Blood Flow - Literature Review" (2025). North Texas Research Forum 2025. 41.
https://scholarlycommons.hcahealthcare.com/northtexas2025/41