Whole-Body Vibration (WBV) uses a special platform that gently vibrates. When you stand, sit, or place your hands and knees on it, the small vibrations make your muscles tighten and relax automatically. This means your muscles do both shortening (concentric) and lengthening (eccentric) actions, which helps improve strength, balance, and circulation without heavy exercise. You can choose the position and intensity that feels right for you.
Why Can WBV Be Helpful After Cancer?
Cancer treatments often lead to tiredness, loss of muscle mass (called sarcopenia), nerve problems, and trouble with balance or bladder control. Doing regular physical activity lowers these risks, but sometimes exercise is hard during or after treatment. WBV gives your body a “shortcut” to activate muscles safely and with very little effort.
In fact, new research shows WBV is safe for patients receiving chemotherapy and for cancer survivors. In a hospital study with people getting high-dose chemotherapy for blood cancers, WBV improved walking and standing tests without causing side effects or blood pressure problems [1].
Who Benefits the Most?
Clinicians report the biggest benefits for:
- Leukemia & lymphoma (blood and lymphatic cancers)
- Central nervous system (CNS) tumors (brain and spinal cord)
- Neuroblastoma (a nerve-tissue cancer, mostly in children)
Breast cancer survivors may also benefit, especially for improving strength and fitness after treatment. Bone cancer survivors should not use WBV because weaker bones increase the risk of fracture.
WBV stimulates the nerves and muscles at the same time. This:
- Improves blood flow
- Reduces pain
- Improves balance and muscle strength
- Helps with peripheral neuropathy (numbness or tingling in hands and feet)
- May help with urinary incontinence
Because the muscles tighten and relax repeatedly, WBV activates both co-contraction (muscles on both sides of a joint working together) and normal shortening/lengthening patterns. Over time, this can help your muscles work more smoothly and get stronger.
How Can Physical Therapists Use WBV?
- Start with short, gentle sessions and watch how your body responds
- Use different positions (standing, sitting, hands and knees) depending on comfort and safety
- Combine WBV with light resistance bands or weights to build even more strength, especially after breast cancer treatment
- Educate patients about what WBV is, when it’s safe, and how it fits with their rehab plan
Right now, only about 3% of clinicians are using WBV in oncology rehab [9]. More therapists are beginning to add it as research grows.
What Patients Should Know
- WBV is not a replacement for all exercise but can be an easier way to start moving
- It’s generally safe during chemotherapy and for survivors of many cancers (except bone cancers)
- Listen to your body and start slowly; sessions can be adjusted to your needs
- Ask your physical therapist if WBV might be right for you
References
- Baumann, F. T., et al. (2018). Feasibility of whole-body vibration during intensive or high-dose chemotherapy: A randomized controlled pilot trial. Supportive Care in Cancer, 26(9), 3277–3285. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-018-4217-6
- Baumann, F. T., et al. (2018). Whole-body vibration exercise in pediatric cancer survivors: A pilot intervention. European Journal of Pediatrics, 177(9), 1387–1396. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-018-3193-4
- Rüth, E., Zopf, E. M., & Baumann, F. T. (2022). Feasibility of whole-body vibration in children and adolescents undergoing chemotherapy: A pilot study. Gerontology & Exercise Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12662-022-00820-3
- Keilani, M., et al. (2018). Effects of whole-body vibration exercise in cancer patients: A systematic review. Drug Discovery & Therapeutics, 12(4), 213–220. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30224596/
- Morales, J. S., et al. (2021). Whole-body vibration plus resistance exercise in breast cancer survivors: Evidence of benefit. Journal of Personalized Medicine, 11(12), 1369. https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm11121369
- Winters-Stone, K. M., et al. (2024). Low-intensity vibration therapy for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: A pilot study. JCO Oncology Practice. https://ascopubs.org/doi/pdf/10.1200/OP-24-00961
- Smith, J., Brown, R., & Lee, K. (2023). Whole-body vibration in oncology rehabilitation: Perceived benefits, barriers, and clinician willingness. Rehabilitation Oncology, 41(3), 145–152.
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