Overview of Vibroacoustic Therapy (VAT)

VAT applies gentle, low-frequency sound (often ~30–120 Hz) through transducers to the body, promoting relaxation, improved circulation, muscle ease, and parasympathetic activation. Over the past four decades, clinicians and researchers have studied VAT across neurological, pain, sleep, sensory, and pulmonary domains.

Research Highlights by Condition

Fibromyalgia

Research overview: Low-frequency sound sessions can ease widespread pain, reduce muscle tension/fatigue, and support deeper sleep.

• Naghdi et al., 2015 — Low-frequency sound stimulation improved pain and sleep measures; no adverse effects reported. PMCID: PMC4325896
• Skille & Wigram, 1995 — Early clinical work showing pain reduction and better sleep following VAT sessions. (overview in nursing/practice reviews)
• Campbell et al., 2017 — Decreases in fibromyalgia pain scores with ~40 Hz stimulation. (cited in reviews)

Related reading: Fibromyalgia & Vibroacoustics · Experience VAT: InnerSoul Tranquility Liquid Sound Table

Parkinson’s Disease

Research overview: Studies point to small but meaningful improvements in mobility, rigidity, balance, and overall motor function when low-frequency vibration is used regularly alongside standard care.

• King et al., 2009 — Short-term vibration improved motor outcomes (rigidity, tremor, step length) in PD. PubMed
• Mosabbir et al., 2020 — Long-term 40 Hz physioacoustic vibration showed beneficial effects on PD symptoms. PMCID: PMC7349639
• PBS “Power Over Parkinson’s 2,” 2019 — Real-world use of VAT over three weeks (features a Liquid Sound Table).

Learn about our approach: Tranquility Table

Anxiety, Depression & Insomnia

Research overview: Gentle low-frequency sound helps the nervous system down-shift (parasympathetic activation), easing anxiety and improving sleep quality.

• Boyd-Brewer & McCaffrey, 2004 — Overview in nursing contexts: VAT associated with relaxation, anxiety reduction, and symptom relief. PubMed
• Kantor et al., 2022 (pilot RCT) — Low-frequency vibration increased HRV (parasympathetic) and reduced subjective stress/muscle tension in students. PMCID: PMC9606670
• Fooks et al., 2024 — Vibroacoustic “sound massage” increased parasympathetic activity and reduced arousal; cognitive/EEG consistent with stress relief. MDPI
• Zabrecky et al., 2020 — In insomnia patients, vibroacoustic stimulation improved sleep metrics and altered fMRI functional connectivity. PMCID: PMC7024098

Related reading: Stress, Sleep & Vibroacoustics · Vagus nerve article: Vagus Nerve Stimulation & Vibroacoustics · Try it on the table: Tranquility Table

Chronic Pain & Musculoskeletal Conditions

Research overview: Evidence indicates VAT may modulate pain perception and improve circulation, helping some people report less day-to-day pain.

• Kantor et al., 2022 (scoping review) — Mapped VAT use for adult pain; suggests design standards and future research directions. PMCID: PMC8984038
• Rüütel et al., 2018 — Health-resort pilot: reductions in muscle tension, pain, fatigue, anxiety; VAT device suitable for use. PDF
• Lehikoinen, 2015 — Reports of decreased chronic musculoskeletal pain after repeated VAT treatments. (reported in VAT practice literature)

Explore our approach to frequencies: Tranquility Table

Autism Spectrum & Sensory Regulation

Research overview: Regular sessions can help regulate sensory input, lower agitation, and improve attention and communication for some autistic individuals.

• Lundqvist, 2009 — Reduction in challenging behaviors (stereotypy/self-injury/aggression) with vibroacoustic music sessions in ASD/DD. Abstract · PDF
• Moore et al., 2025 — Mixed-methods pilot in autistic children showed feasibility/acceptability and signals for attention/emotion regulation gains. PMCID: PMC11898927

Related reading: Autism & Vibroacoustics · See the hardware: Tranquility Table

Respiratory & Pulmonary Care

Research overview: An emerging area—vibroacoustic pulmonary therapy (VAPT) is being explored as an adjunct to improve drainage/perfusion and comfort in respiratory conditions.

• Konkayev et al., 2023 (pilot RCT) — Adjunct VAPT in COVID-19–related respiratory failure; described improvements in respiratory parameters. PMCID: PMC10753020
• Konkayev et al., 2024 (case series) — VAPT within complex therapy for acute respiratory failure post-thoracic trauma. PMCID: PMC11408177

Relaxation & General Well-Being

Research overview: Short sessions of vibroacoustic stimulation can induce measurable relaxation states and momentary well-being improvements.

• Sandler et al., 2017 — Body Monochord vibroacoustic stimulation produced physiological and subjective relaxation effects. PMCID: PMC5256965
• Bieligmeyer et al., 2018 — Short-term sound-bed intervention improved momentary well-being vs. rest in cancer patients. PubMed

Try vibroacoustics at home or in practice: Tranquility Table

Emerging & Ongoing Clinical Trials

Heads-up: Registrations below are listed for awareness; inclusion does not imply definitive outcomes.

• VAPT in postoperative cardiac patients — Observational effectiveness/safety vs. percussion massage. NCT06320483
• VAPT for COVID-associated pneumonia — Registered clinical protocol. NCT05143372

Want the technical specs behind our builds? See the table: InnerSoul Tranquility Liquid Sound Table

Full List of Peer-Reviewed Studies

We prioritize open-access (PubMed/PMC/DOI) links and clearly label pilot/observational designs. Add to this list as new research is published.