A Randomized Controlled Trial to Investigate the Feasibility and Clinical Efficacy of Whole Body Vibration Therapy in Modifying Bone Metabolism and Neuromotor Performance in Individuals with Chronic Stroke

Abstract

Conclusions:The ALTEP facilitated functional recovery and HRQoL. Together with pharmacologic treatment, clients may obtain optimum control in vascular risk factors like blood pressure, lipid and glucose, which may to lower stroke recurrent rate. The interpretation of results warrants caution, however, due to the lack of a control group.Background and Purpose: Whole body vibration (WBV) has gained increasing popularity in rehabilitation of various patient populations. The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility and clinical efficacy of whole body vibration therapy in enhancing bone health and neuromotor performance in individuals with chronic stroke. Methods: 82 patients with chronic stroke were randomized into either the WBV group or control group. Subjects in the WBV group received WBV stimulation (20-30Hz, 1.2-1.87mm, 1.93-6.77g) while performing six different sets of dynamic leg exercises. The total WBV exposure was 10-15 minutes per session. Subjects in control group, in contrast, performed the same dynamic leg exercises but without any added vibration stimuli. In each of the treatment arms, the subjects underwent their respective training three times per week for 8 weeks (i.e., 24 sessions). Outcome variables included the serum bone turnover markers, isometric and dynamic knee muscles strength, Berg Balance Scale, Limits of Stability Test, Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale, Six-Minute Walk Test, and Ten-Meter Walk Test. The measurement of outcomes was performed immediately before training, immediately after training, and at 1 month after the termination of training. Additionally, the Visual Analog Scale was used by the subjects to rate their level of satisfaction with the WBV program. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to determine whether WBV had any significant overall treatment effect. Post-hoc contrast analysis was performed when appropriate. Results: Intention-to-treat analysis showed that there were significant but similar improvements in most outcomes in both groups, and the improvements were maintained in 1-month follow-up. The only exception was the serum level of bone turnover markers, which demonstrated no significant change over time in both groups. Three people in each group dropped out from the trial, yielding a low attrition rate of 7%. The subjects in the WBV group showed high satisfaction level with the program (mean score: 9.0AE1.0), which was significantly different from the control group (mean score: 8.4AE1.5) (pZ0.031). Conclusion: WBV training is safe and feasible in individuals with chronic stroke. However, the results showed that WBV stimulation has no additional effect on improving bone turnover rate, knee muscles strength, mobility, and balance compared with dynamic leg exercises alone in patients with chronic stroke.

Does Whole-Body Vibration Training Have a Concurrent Effect on Bone and Muscle Health? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Online supplementary Table 2 [41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59] summarizes all studies excluded from full-text review and the reasons for exclusion, as per AMSTAR2 guidelines. Online supplementary Table 3 [60][61][62][63][64][65][66] summarizes all studies included in the review.…”