Citation

Lau RWK, Yip SP, Pang MY. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 2012; 44(8): 1409-1418.

Affiliation

1Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 2Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1249/MSS.0b013e31824e4f8c

PMID

22330025

Abstract

PURPOSE: Whole-body vibration therapy has gained increasing popularity to enhance neuromotor function in various patient populations. It remains uncertain, however, whether whole-body vibration is beneficial when used in stroke patients. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to examine the efficacy of whole-body vibration in optimizing neuromotor performance and reducing falls in chronic stroke patients. METHODS: Eighty-two chronic stroke patients were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or control group. The experimental group received 9-15 minutes of whole-body vibration (vertical vibration; frequency: 20-30Hz; amplitude: 0.44-0.60mm; peak acceleration: 9.5-15.8ms/ or 0.97-1.61 unit of Earth gravitational constant G) while performing a variety of dynamic leg exercises on the vibration platform. The control group performed the same exercises without vibration. The subjects underwent their respective training three times a week for 8 weeks. Balance (Berg balance scale), mobility (10-meter walk test and six-minute walk test), knee muscle strength (isokinetic dynamometry), and fall-related self-efficacy (Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale) were assessed at baseline, immediately after the 8-week training and at a 1-month follow-up. The incidence of falls was recorded until 6 months after the termination of training. RESULTS: Intention-to-treat analysis revealed similar significant improvement in all balance, mobility, muscle strength, and fall-related self-efficacy measures in both groups after the 8-week treatment period (p<0.001), and these were maintained at 1-month follow-up. The incidence of falls did not differ significantly between the two groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The addition of the presently used whole-body vibration paradigm to a leg exercise protocol was no more effective in improving neuromotor performance and reducing the incidence of falls than leg exercises alone in chronic stroke patients who have mild to moderate motor impairments.

Language: en