Medically tested sound wave devices for the supportive treatment of neurological disorders
Neurological problems are often the result of a central neurological disorder or traumatic brain injury. These lead to restricted movement, sensory disturbances, and reduced independence. Local vibration therapy with novafon offers an effective, non-invasive supplement to conventional therapy. Sensory-motor stimulation activates the body's own mechanisms, improves stimulus transmission, and specifically promotes functions.¹ This supports the restoration of mobility, coordination, and confidence in movement, thereby promoting activities of daily living (ADL).
Medically tested sound wave devices for the supportive treatment of neurological disorders
Neurological problems are often the result of a central neurological disorder or traumatic brain injury. These lead to restricted movement, sensory disturbances, and reduced independence. Local vibration therapy with novafon offers an effective, non-invasive supplement to conventional therapy. Sensory-motor stimulation activates the body's own mechanisms, improves stimulus transmission, and specifically promotes functions.¹ This supports the restoration of mobility, coordination, and confidence in movement, thereby promoting activities of daily living (ADL).
Local vibration therapy
in neurorehabilitation
The aim of neurorehabilitation is often to reduce motor impairments and counteract the consequences of movement disorders. Both hyposensitive and hypersensitive areas can occur and require therapy.
novafon products work with gentle sound waves in 3 selectable frequency ranges. At 50 Hz, the muscles are primarily relaxed, while at 75 Hz they are activated. The 100 Hz level has a pain-relieving effect. This means you can treat the agonist and antagonist of a body part with the same device without interruption. Thanks to 5 different intensity levels per frequency, novafon devices can also reach tissue and nerve pathways up to 9 cm deep in neurorehabilitation.
Specific applications in neuro-rehabilitation
Flaccid & spastic paresis
Neglect
Hand therapy
Pediatrics
Treating neurological disorders
Flaccid and spastic paresis
Local vibration therapy is a non-pharmacological method of regulating muscle tone that can be used effectively to treat both flaccid and spastic paresis. Spasticity can be reduced through treatment², which can lead to improved gait and optimized grip function. Stimulation of the sensorimotor system supports coordinated movement and promotes awareness of the affected body part, e.g., in cases of hemiparesis. The method is suitable for patients who have suffered a stroke or traumatic brain injury, as well as for people with multiple sclerosis or children with infantile cerebral palsy.³
Treating neurological disorders
Neglect
The therapy focuses on reactivating spatial perception and consciously engaging with the affected side. Local vibration therapy with novafon offers an effective option for sensorimotor stimulation: targeted vibration—especially of the neck muscles on the contralateral side—can help the subjectively distorted body center to realign with the actual reality of the body. This improves spatial orientation, activates the affected area, and has been shown to have a positive effect on visuomotor exploration and activities of daily living (ADLs).⁴
Treat acute and chronic pain in the muscular and joint systems
Hand therapy
In hand therapy and the treatment of scars after CTS, Dupuytren's contracture, or CRPS, the NOVAFON is used with its various attachments for tone regulation, desensitization, and mobilization. It is particularly effective after traumatic injuries or surgical procedures. The affected areas receive better blood circulation, which supports tissue healing. In addition to these effects, there is a local soothing and pain-relieving effect.
Treating neurological disorders
Pediatrics
Novafon treatment is used in children to promote perception, relaxation, and tone regulation. The gentle vibrations are perceived as a pleasant tingling sensation and enable deep, proprioceptive stimulation. Local vibration therapy can be used to improve motor control and ADLs, particularly in children with congenital brain damage such as infantile cerebral palsy.
Three frequencys
Depending on the treatment goal, novafon sound wave devices offer a choice of three frequencies in the audible and perceptible sound range.
Up to 9 cm+ depth effect
While massage devices, for example, only work superficially, novafon enables effective treatment down to the deep tissue layers.
Drei Frequenzstufen
Je nach Behandlungsziel kannst du bei novafon Vibrationsgeräten zwischen drei Frequenzen im hör- und fühlbaren Schallbereich wählen.
Bis zu 9 cm+ Tiefenwirkung
Während z.B. Massagegeräte nur oberflächlich arbeiten, ermöglicht dir novafon eine wirksame Behandlung bis in tiefe Gewebeschichten.
Proven effectiveness. Versatile application.
Proven deep effectiveness.
88 %
of occupational therapists
confirm the effectiveness of
novafon treatment
for stroke.⁷
"The targeted use of the novafon device can reduce spasticity by stimulating various receptors and afferent pathways, significantly improving the patient's perception of the affected body part."
Prof. Dr. med. Joachim Liepert
&Medical Director of Neurorehabilitation at the Schmieder Clinics
70 %
of users are convinced of
its effectiveness in treating neglect.⁸
90+ clinical studies
and publications
For more than 40,000 therapists, clinics, and practices, novafon is a reliable partner in physical therapy. For over 90 years, our medical devices have been making a clinically proven contribution to effective pain treatment. Local vibration therapy has been shown to be even more effective than aspirin for chronic pain.⁹
If you would like to learn more about our studies and publications, you can delve deeper into the subject matter in the following section.
Prof. Dr. med. Joachim Liepert
Medical Director of Neurorehabilitation at the Schmieder Clinics
"[...] The vibrations stimulate both proprioceptors and mechanoreceptors.
The targeted use of the novafon device can cause a reduction in spasticity by stimulating the various receptors and stimulating afferent pathways, significantly improving the patient's perception of the affected body part.
and significantly improve the patient's perception of the affected part of the body."
Schlimm Physio & Relax
Sindelfingen 2005
"Patients report immediate pain relief and improvement in superficial joint surfaces (knee, foot, elbow, wrist, shoulder, spine, jaw joint) immediate pain relief and improved mobility, which lasts for approx. 2-3 hours. After 3 weeks of daily treatment, improvements in symptoms of up to 90% are not uncommon.“ ¹⁰
Sven Aufsfeld
Certified hand therapist
"I use novafon daily in hand therapy. Whether it's for pain reduction, e.g., for rheumatism patients, stimulating metabolism, and [...] for post-op patients, or for improving sensitivity, e.g., for polyneuropathy or, in some cases, nerve damage. In general, it is also used to loosen or stimulate the muscles before exercises."
Testimonials and quotes
What satisfied users say.
Erfahrungsberichte und Zitate
Das sagen zufriedene Anwender:innen.
Save €139 novafon power 2 incl. charging station
Intraoral 8 piece-Set freely selectable
Transport Case Set
3 intensities
3 frequencies (50, 75 & 100 Hz)
Smart all-rounder
8 different attachments - free selectable
Developed for targeted vibrotactile stimulation in the oral cavity
Sound wave devices & accessories for neuro-rehabilitation
Frequently asked questions
- Has the effectiveness of the treatment been scientifically proven?
Yes. The first clinical studies investigating the pain-reducing effects of local vibration therapy date back to the 1980s. Since then, sound wave therapy has established itself as an effective, non-medicinal form of treatment for acute and chronic pain in the musculoskeletal system. The application of vibration to the painful area or surrounding trigger points has been shown to have a long-lasting analgesic effect in a number of chronic pain conditions (including fibromyalgia, tendinitis, phantom pain) (Staud, 2011, Lundeberg, 1984-1987) and stroke sequelae.
- Can I make things worse or “break” something with the treatment?
Local vibration therapy with novafon is a simple, safe, and effective treatment method. It is certified by TÜV for use by consumers at home. However, as a medical device manufacturer, it is important to us that you use our device correctly, and we would like to inform you about all contraindications and side effects.
- Where can I get help if I have received the device and do not know how to start using it?
You will receive a free application guide with your delivery. It contains step-by-step instructions for treatments for the whole body. You can also find this as a PDF in our download area. Our free novafon app also features helpful exercise videos by and with our novafon therapists, interesting facts about our products, and instructions for correct use. In addition, our novafon Academy offers exciting and free web seminars on various topics every month. Would you prefer individual advice? Take advantage of our free application consultation service. Simply make an appointment and receive personalized advice from our therapists.
- What are the advantages of using sound wave devices for neurological disorders?
Local vibration therapy with novafon devices enables gentle, non-medicinal treatment of neurological disorders. By activating the sensorimotor system, therapists can observe improvements in paralysis, sensory disorders, and hypertonic muscles.
- How can novafon devices be integrated into everyday practice?
The handy novafon devices are compact, cordless, and easy to use. Therapists can use them flexibly for movement exercises, motor training, or manual massages, for example. Even patients can perform the application themselves, which increases the efficiency of the therapy.
- For which applications in neurological disorders are sound wave devices particularly suitable?
novafon devices are particularly suitable for treating neglect, spasticity, and flaccid paresis. They improve sensory perception, help relax spastic muscles, and stimulate weak muscles to improve motor control and mobility.
Sources
¹ See bibliography
² Alashram AR, Padua E, Romagnoli C, Annino G. Effectiveness of focal muscle vibration on hemiplegic upper extremity spasticity in individuals with stroke: A systematic review. NeuroRehabilitation. 2019 Dec 18;45(4):471-481. doi: 10.3233/NRE-192863. PMID: 31868686.
³ See bibliography
⁴ Schindler, I.; Kerkhoff, G. Convergent and divergent effects of neck proprioceptive and visual motion stimulation on visual space processing in neglect. Neuropsychologia. 2004; 42(9):1149–1155.
⁵ Staud R, Robinson ME, Goldman CT, Price DD. Attenuation of experimental pain by vibro-tactile stimulation in patients with chronic local or widespread musculoskeletal pain. Eur J Pain. 2011 Sep;15(8):836-42. doi: 10.1016/j.ejpain.2011.01.011. Epub 2011 Feb 19. PMID: 21339076; PMCID: PMC3136545.
⁶ Usuki F, Tohyama S. Three Case Reports of Successful Vibration Therapy of the Plantar Fascia for Spasticity Due to Cerebral Palsy-Like Syndrome, Fetal-Type Minamata Disease. Medicine (Baltimore). 2016 Apr;95(15):e3385. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000003385. PMID: 27082608; PMCID: PMC4839852.
⁷ Anwendungsbefragung 2023 mit 157 teilnehmenden Ergoherapeut:innen
⁸ Anwendungsbefragung 2023 mit 157 teilnehmenden Ergoherapeut:innen
⁹ Lundeberg T. 1984c. The pain suppressive effect of vibratory stimulation and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) as compared to aspirin.
¹⁰ Individual case observation: There may not be sufficient clinical data available to prove the general suitability of local vibration therapy for the symptoms described. This is a user quote that has been published by users on Google or social networks [Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube], or it is based on therapists' experience reports.