1000 Section - Tuned Vibroacoustic Stimulation as a Tool for Stress and Sleep Optimization: Implications for Musculoskeletal Providers

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM PT

Presenting Author/Autor expositor(s)

FI

Franchesca M. Inay, MD

Medical Student
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Co-Author/Coautor(s)

PG

Peyton Groves, MD

Medical Student
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Corresponding Author/Autor a quien dirigir la corr(s)

MT

Michelle Thompson, DO

Division of Lifestyle Medicine Medical Director; Associate Professor in Dept. of Family Med
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
DR

Dave Rabin, MD PhD

Chief Medical Officer
Apollo Neuroscience
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Objectives : Physician stress and poor sleep can negatively impact clinical decision-making, patient outcomes, and professional longevity, particularly in high-demand specialties such as musculoskeletal (MSK) medicine. Vibration-based interventions are widely studied in MSK rehabilitation and performance optimization. However, their role in improving provider wellness has not been well explored. This study evaluates the impact of tuned vibroacoustic stimulation (TVS), a low-frequency vibration modality, on stress and sleep quality among physicians.

Design: A prospective interventional study was conducted at a single-site academic hospital center. Thirteen physicians representing physiatry, family medicine, and neurosurgery specialties were enrolled in the study and provided with a TVS device (Apollo Neuro™) to wear for at least three hours daily over eight weeks. Validated electronic surveys, namely the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), were administered at baseline and post-intervention at eight weeks. Changes in PSQI and PSS scores from baseline to eight weeks were compared for each participant to evaluate sleep quality and perceived stress.

Results:

Participants demonstrated an improvement in PSQI scores of 1.8 points (p=0.02) and a mean reduction in PSS scores by 4.4 points (p=0.04). Qualitative feedback indicated improved focus and decreased fatigue during clinical care.

Conclusion: TVS, a vibration-based therapeutic modality, was associated with improved stress and sleep outcomes in physicians. Given the established applications of vibration therapy in MSK rehabilitation, this pilot study suggests a potential dual role for TVS in enhancing both provider recovery and wellness in MSK care settings. Further studies are warranted to assess the long-term effects of TVS on mitigating physician burnout.