B. Emons, M. van Rossum.
The Sound-wave chair: an alternative for exercise of frail older
adults. Gerontechnology 2009;8(2):111; doi: 10.4017/gt.2009.08.02.020.00 Sound energy
has been used in medical science for more than 2 decades. Physioacoustic method is
approved by the FDA (USA) for improving blood circulation, and is reducing pain and relaxes
muscles where applied. Contraindications: expectant mothers, sufferers of acute inflammation
1
and those with severe cardiac, cerebral vascular complaints, acute hernia or hematoma . The
chair reduces cholesterol levels and osteoporosis and also decreases motor symptoms of
2
Parkinson’s disease . Patients feel the sound as resonance within muscles and other tissues.
Technical description The sound wave therapy system uses low frequencies (27-113 Hz)
3
and has been incorporated in a reclining chair housing a computer and six audio speakers .
The computer creates and controls low frequency sinusoidal sound waves. The approximate
resonance frequencies of the basic muscle groups have been stored in the memory of the
computer, which then causes the sound to vary up and down from the fixed pitch. This
ensures that at some point the correct resonance frequency is reached and the tissue,
resonates (sympathetic vibration). This vibration is produced dozens of times during one
therapy session. This type of interval treatment is more effective than continuous stimulation,
which may lead to tired and numb muscles after a few minutes. Power pulsation is also used
to prevent overstimulation. Continuous stimulation commonly causes numbness and
contraction. Power pulsation means that within a fixed time sequence the volume of low
frequency sound varies in a linear way to obtain a better muscle relaxation. The computer
causes the sound to circulate from the lower parts of the body upwards or in reverse direction.
The movement causes a travelling sound pressure inside the body. This pressure activates
both blood circulation and the flow of lymphatic fluid. Power pulsation, scanning and direction
enable the therapist to create an unlimited amount of different combinations for different
therapeutic needs. User studies Forty-nine volunteers (35 women, 14 men) from sheltered
homes, aged 62-93 yrs were matched for sex, age, body weight, bone mineral density and
walking capacity and then assigned randomly to a control group (n=19) and an intervention
group (n=30). On the average, subjects had 6 chronic diseases (range: 0-12), used 9 different
prescription drugs (range: 0-22), 72% of them used walking aids indoors and 55% outdoors,
most often walkers and canes. One subject used a wheelchair but also a walker for shorter
distances. Interviews and laboratory tests were performed at baseline and after the
intervention. The intervention consisted of 30 min session in the Sound-wave chair, 3-5
times/week for 6 months. The amount of walking increased in the
intervention group, but decreased in the control group (p=0.048). In
addition the intervention was associated with a decrease in the
cholesterol level (p=0.007), and an increase in the average skin
temperature of the gastrocnemius muscle during chair sessions at
the end of the 6 months intervention period (p=0.004). In total 89%
of those in the intervention group reported that they felt pleasant or
4
very pleasant sitting in the chair . The effects found have some
similarity to the effects of exercise. Thus, the sound-wave chair can
be used as an alternative way of promoting the well-being of frail
older adults, especially in situations where subjects are too frail to The Sound-wave chair
participate in common exercise programs.
References
1. FDA. Next Wave Physioacoustic Mattress. Reference K 934886; September 6, 1994;
www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfPMN/pmn.cfm?ID=96576; retrieved June 5, 2009
2. Almeida Q, King L, Ahonen-Eerikainen H. The e ffects of sound wave vibration therapy on motor
symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. NeuroRehabilitation 2009; 24; in press
3. http://www.nextwave.fi/; retrieved June 5, 2009
4. Sakari R, Hietikko A, Katajapuu-Riikomen P, Cheng S. Effects of low-frequency sound-wave therapy
on functional capacity, cholesterol level and skin temperature in older men and women. Clinical
Rehabilitation 2009 (September): manuscript ID CRE-2009-0841.R2
Address: Next Wave Benelux, Hoefslag 11a, 5411 LS Zeeland (N.Br.) the Netherlands
www.nextwave-benelux.nl
