The Use of Whole-Body Vibration, Electrical Stimulation, and Magnetic Stimulation in Muscle Dystrophy Patients: A Scoping Review

TL;DR

This review explores how vibration, electrical, and magnetic stimulation therapies affect muscle dystrophy patients, focusing on muscle strength and mobility.

Contribution

The study provides a comprehensive overview of non-pharmacological interventions for muscle dystrophy using a scoping review approach.

Findings

Whole-body vibration and electrical stimulation showed positive effects on muscle strength and mobility.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation had limited research but showed potential benefits.

Variability in intervention protocols and patient conditions affects outcomes.

Abstract

The purpose of this scoping review was to report the effects of vibration therapy, electrical stimulation, and transcranial magnetic stimulation on patients with muscle dystrophies. The outcome measures were muscle strength, body composition, balance, and functional mobility of these patients. We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and the Arksey and O’Malley framework. The literature review was conducted on PubMed. We included studies that were written in English, were peer-reviewed, without regard to the publication date, and implemented a form of “vibration therapy” or “electrical stimulation” or “magnetic stimulation” as an intervention program of any duration. Overall, 14 studies were retrieved. Most of the studies applied whole-body vibration (WBV) therapy or electrical stimulation and only one was found that implemented transcranial magnetic stimulation. The interventions were reported but there was a variety in duration or the frequency of the program, as well as in the disease progression of the patients. It seems that WBV, electrical stimulation, and magnetic stimulation have positive outcomes, but these vary depending on the muscle deficits and limitations of the patients with muscle dystrophy. It is recommended that future studies should be conducted in order to determine the ideal prescription of each intervention, so as to be as beneficial as possible.

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