Effect of vibration on skin blood flow in an in vivo microcirculatory model

Biosci Trends. 2007 Dec;1(3):161-6.

Abstract

The effect of vibration on skin microcirculation was studied to investigate the possibility of clinical use of vibration to prevent and treat pressure ulcers. Vibrations at a vibrational intensity of 600, 800, or 1,000 mVpp with a fixed frequency of 47 Hz were applied horizontally to the ear of male hairless mice (n = 6 for each group) under inhalation anesthesia. The control group (n = 6) received no vibrations. Venular blood flow was measured by an intravital videomicroscope at the baseline and at 0, 5, and 15 min after the application of vibrations. A significant increase was observed in the 600 mVpp group 5 and 15 min after vibration in comparison to the control group (P = 0.002 and P = 0.046, respectively). We also detected increased blood flow in the 800 mVpp group (P = 0.028) and the 1,000 mVpp group (P = 0.012) 5 min after vibration; however, these increases attenuated after 15 min. These results indicate that direct skin vibration at a frequency of 47 Hz improves skin blood flow. The present study gives further support to the role of vibration on a short-term increase in skin blood flow.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Hemodynamics
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Hairless
  • Microcirculation / physiology*
  • Microscopy, Video
  • Regional Blood Flow / physiology
  • Skin / blood supply*
  • Vibration*