THE SCIENCE
Curious about what vibration can do? So are we.
Vibration therapy is an emerging area of veterinary research, with studies exploring its potential role in canine mobility, musculoskeletal health and pain management.
At ORA, we believe in understanding the evidence properly — including what research suggests, where the limitations are, and what still needs to be learned.
What is vibration therapy?
Vibration therapy uses controlled mechanical vibrations that are transferred through the body or a targeted area. In veterinary research, different approaches have been studied — including whole-body vibration platforms and devices that apply vibration locally.
Researchers are exploring how these mechanical vibrations may influence areas such as muscle function, mobility and pain. The way vibration is delivered — including its frequency, intensity, duration and location — can vary considerably between studies.
What does the research suggest?
Veterinary research into vibration therapy in dogs is still developing, but several studies have reported encouraging findings across areas including pain, mobility and muscle condition.
Studies involving dogs with hip dysplasia and other musculoskeletal conditions have reported improvements in measures such as owner-assessed pain, muscle measurements and aspects of mobility or limb function. However, the studies to date are relatively small, use different vibration methods and protocols, and do not establish that every form of vibration therapy will produce the same results.
A closer look at the research
2024 — Localised vibration & hip dysplasia
37 dogs with bilateral hip dysplasia received localised vibration daily for 14 days. Researchers reported significant reductions in owner-assessed pain scores, with 73% of dogs classified as responders by day 14.
Important context: This was a prospective, survey-based study without a randomised control group. The researchers called for further randomised and blinded studies.
2023 — Whole-body vibration & hip dysplasia
10 dogs with hip dysplasia received whole-body vibration for 15 minutes, three times per week, over 16 weeks. Researchers reported increases in hindlimb muscle measurements and reductions in owner-assessed pain.
Important context: This was a small pilot study. Significant improvements were not observed in visual lameness or kinetic gait analysis, and the researchers called for further study.
2022 — Vibration alongside joint treatment
14 dogs with hip dysplasia were studied using hyaluronic acid treatment either alone or combined with whole-body vibration. Both groups improved, while the combined treatment produced some earlier clinical and kinetic improvements.
Important context: Vibration was used alongside another treatment, so this does not establish the effects of vibration on its own.
What the research doesn’t tell us
The research is encouraging, but it has limitations.
The studies above involved relatively small groups of dogs and used different devices, vibration settings, treatment durations and research methods. Their findings cannot automatically be applied to every form of vibration therapy.
Importantly, these studies did not test an ORA bed. They provide useful context for understanding why vibration is being explored in canine health and rehabilitation, but they do not prove that ORA will produce the same outcomes.
How research informs ORA.
ORA wasn't designed to replicate any single research protocol. Instead, we're interested in what the growing body of research can teach us about vibration, how dogs respond to it, and where future investigation may lead.
Our approach is deliberately simple: integrate gentle, controllable vibration into a comfortable, supportive place your dog already chooses to rest.
As research develops, we'll keep learning from it — and we'll continue evolving ORA with the same curiosity, care and respect for the evidence.
References
1. Localised vibration and canine hip dysplasia — 2024
Evaluation of localized vibration therapy for pain management in dogs with bilateral hip dysplasia. Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
2. Whole-body vibration and canine hip dysplasia — 2023
Effects of Whole-Body Vibration Exercise on Musculoskeletal Parameters in Dogs with Hip Dysplasia. Animals.
3. Whole-body vibration combined with hyaluronic acid — 2022
Effects of reticulated hyaluronic acid alone or associated with whole-body vibration in dogs with hip dysplasia. Veterinary and Animal Science.
Comfort, informed by curiosity.
ORA brings together thoughtful design, supportive comfort and gentle vibration in a bed made for the way dogs naturally rest.