Effects of early whole-body vibration treatment on knee neuromuscular function and postural control after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Adding 4-weeks of WBV-OF to a traditional rehabilitation programme 1 month after surgery is effective in improving muscle strength of the knee flexor muscles. This early intervention may be incorporated into current rehabilitation to facilitate early strength recovery of anterior cruciate ligament reconstructed patients.

Effects of Whole Body Vibration Using Vibratory Platformson Rehabilitation of Patients Submitted to Surgery for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury.

“…The group submitted to WBV for rehabilitation exhibited increased isometric knee extension, with a deficit of 31% in ischiotibial muscles, and 36% in quadriceps, in comparison to the non-injured legs. The same outcome was observed in the study conducted by Pistone et al, 3 in which the patients with ACL injury submitted to physiotherapy and vibratory platform obtained improved knee flexors and extensors strength, maintaining these outcomes after three months. In line with the previous outcomes, the authors that used the dynamometer observed similar outcomes with increased strengthof the muscles involved inknee flexion and extension.…”

“…Giombini et al, 20 Pistone et al, 3 and Pamukoff et al 24 20 and Pistone et al 3 reported breaks between frequency changes that varied between 5 and 35 seconds. The ideal frequency reported was 30-35 Hz to improve the activation of the lateral vastus muscle, with positive outcomes in muscle strength and functionality gain.…”

“…The ideal frequency reported was 30-35 Hz to improve the activation of the lateral vastus muscle, with positive outcomes in muscle strength and functionality gain. 3,20 With respect to exposure time, Berschin et al 17 performed two to six repetitions of 20-minute muscle exercise, Pamukoff et al 24 performed six repetitions of 60 seconds, and Bastian et al 12 used 10-minute vibration. Giombini et al, 20 Pistone et al, 3 and Avelar et al 22 reported that the participants of the studies remained in squatting position, with 60 degrees knee flexion, barefoot and the feet 28 cm apart, which was considered the best position for quadriceps muscle activation.…”

“…Thus, to assess the effects of vibratory platformson the treatment, most authors used electromyography of the lateral vastus muscle in the dominant limb, with application of two 4-mm electrodes, at a distance of 20 mm from each other. 3,20,22,24 The methods for assessing the effects of WBV using vibration platforms found in the studies were: perimetry; 10,12 goniometry; 10,14,17 strength test; 3,17 dynamometer; 3,10,14,24 balance and Lysholm score; 3 the Hoffmann reflex, which assesses the excitability of the quadriceps motor neurons; 24 transcranial magnetic stimulation; 24 jump tests; 10,14 knee injury tests; 14 and self-assessment questionnaires assessing the influence of ACL injury on life in general. 10 In the study conducted by Bastian et al, 12 the participants of the WBV group maintained the size and strength of the leg muscle, whereas the group that only performed conventional physiotherapy suffered atrophy and quadriceps strength loss.…”

“…Previous studies have indicated this type of therapy as an alternative method to accelerate patients' rehabilitation and return to daily activities. 3,12,16 From this perspective, the goal of the present study was to assess the effects of WBVusing vibratory platformson rehabilitation of patients submitted to surgery for ACL injury.…”