Table 2 Effects of mechanical and automated massage on blood circulation

Vibration massage

Taspinar et al. [48]

RCT, double blinded

15 healthy females (age = 21.47 ± 1.06 years)

NR

Triceps Surae (lower extremity)

1 session each:

30 min MRT

1 week later manual massage by kneading and stroking

NR

3 groups:

EG1: MRT

EG2: manual

CON

Using DUS at left popliteal artery and post-tibial artery: BF, artery diameter, BV

EG1 > EG2: BF significantly increased

Sonza et al. [47]

Quasi-experimental

Healthy subjects

11 males and 13 females (age = 26.4 ± 4.1 years)

NR

NR

Total 4 sessions

4 bout/session. 1 session per day

Each bout 15 min long

Vibration frequency = 31, 35, 40, 44 Hz

–

Taken at each mins during 15 min of intervention and 10 min following intervention: ST (using IT at thighs, knees, lower legs, feet)

Significant decrease in ST during and after vibration massage

Menendez et al. [33]

RCT

13 healthy males (age = 21 ± 21.5 years)

NR

Right popliteal fossa

Total 4 sessions with 1 session/day

10 bouts/session. Each bout 1 min long. 1 min rest between bouts

Vibration frequency = 26 Hz

–

Taken at baseline, at rests during intervention and at each mins for 5 min following intervention:

BF (using DUS at right Popliteal fossa)

ST (using IT at left Gastrocnemius)

BF: Significant increase in MBV and PBV during intervention

ST: NS

Mitchel et al. [34]

CCT

Willes Ekibon disease patients

EG: 7 males and 4 females (age = 54.7 ± 12.5 years)

CON: 7 males and 4 females (age = 53.6 ± 10.4 years)

NR

Dorsum of the right foot

Total 6 sessions with 3 sessions/week for 2 weeks

10 bouts/session. Each bout 30 s long and 1 min rest between bouts

Vibration frequency = 30–40 Hz

2 groups:

EG: WBV

CON

Taken at baseline and 2 weeks after completion of intervention: BF (using LDI at dorsum of right foot)

NS

Manimmanakorn et al. [32]

RCT

Diabetic patients

EG: 7 males and 10 females (age = 60.9 ± 11.2 years)

CON: 6 males and 13 females (age = 63.9 ± 4.9 years)

NR

Right mid-popliteal fossa

Total 36 sessions

3 sessions/week for 12 weeks

2 sets of 6 bouts. Each bout 1 min long and 20 s rest between bouts

Vibration frequency = 30–40 Hz

2 groups:

EG: WBV

CON

Taken at baseline and after 12 weeks: BF (using DUS at right mid-popliteal fossa)

In EG: NS in reduction in PSV

Significant decrease in EDV

Pulse-synchronized air cuff massage

Tochikubo et al. [49]

–

19 males and 36 females (age = 34.4 ± 12.7 years)

NR

Single session

15 min active PS-AM preceded and followed by 15 min pre-PS-AM and 15 min post-PS-AM relaxation

–

2 groups: Males and Females

Taken before, during and after PS-AM: BF (using LDF), BP and HR (using ECG)

For both males and females:

BF: significant increase only during PS-AM

BP: NS

HR: Significant increase in HF only during PS-AM