Does whole-body vibration training in the horizontal direction have effects on motor function and balance of chronic stroke survivors? A preliminary study

Abstract

[Purpose] The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) in the horizontal direction on the motor function and balance of chronic stroke survivors. [Subjects and Methods] This study was a randomized controlled trial. Twenty-one individuals with chronic stroke from an inpatient rehabilitation center participated in the study. The participants were allocated to either the WBV training group or the control group. The WBV training group (n = 12) received whole-body vibration delivered in the horizontal direction (15 min/day, 3 times/week, 6 wks) followed by conventional rehabilitation (30 min/day, 5 times/week, 6 wks); the control group (n = 9) received conventional rehabilitation only (30 min/day, 5 times/week, 6 wks). Motor function was measured by using the Fugl-Meyer assessment, and balance was measured by using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test before and after the interventions. [Results] After the interventions, all variables improved significantly compared with the baseline values in the WBV training group. In the control group, no significant improvements in any variables were noted. In addition, the BBS score in the WBV training group increased significantly compared with that in the control group. [Conclusion] WBV training with whole-body vibration delivered in the horizontal direction may be a potential intervention for improvement of motor function and balance in patients who previously experienced a stroke.

Whole Body Vibration Therapy after Ischemia Reduces Brain Damage in Reproductively Senescent Female Rats

“…Whole body vibration (WBV) is a novel rehabilitative exercise that uses low amplitude, low frequency vibration administered through a platform or Power Plate. WBV shows potential as an effective therapeutic approach and has been studied in a variety of clinical settings that include rehabilitation of patients with chronic stroke [8], spinal cord injury [9], lumbar disk disease and lower back pain syndromes [10], Parkinson's disease [11], elderly with sarcopenia [12,13], chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) [14 ], multiple sclerosis [15], obesity, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia [16] and children with cerebral palsy [17]. A growing body of evidence in laboratory animals and patients with chronic stroke have shown that WBV reduces or reverses pathological remodeling of bone and such a treatment could also help reduce frailty related physiological deterioration [18][19][20].…”

The Efficacy of Whole-Body Vibration for Functional Improvement of Stroke Patients: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…Literature search, study characteristics and quality assessment Among the 8 studies included here, 3 studies report 6MWT distance [11,14,22], 4 studies report TUG test [11,13,14,17], 2 studies report Fugl-Meyer assessment [17,18], three studies report Berg Balance Scale [14,17,22], and 2 studies report ABC scale [11,22]. The detail for risk of bias tool are shown in ▶ fig.…”

“…volve whole-body vibration in the horizontal direction, and reports the significantly positive influence on the rehabilitation of stroke patients [17]. More studies should be conducted to investigate the clinical significance of whole-body vibration training.…”

“…Many interventions have been developed to improve balance ability. Whole-body vibration has obtained an increasing focus for the rehabilitation of stroke patients [17].…”

“…However, the efficacy of whole-body vibration on functional improvement has not been well established. Several studies report the conflicting results [11,12,[16][17][18]. With accumulating evidence, we therefore perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs to investigate the efficacy of whole-body vibration versus sham procedures for stroke patients.…”