Effect of whole body vibration on gait after stroke – a randomized controlled clinical trial
The aim of the study by Pakistani scientists from the University of Lahore was to determine the effect of vibrotherapy (whole body vibration, WBV) on gait in patients with the consequences of chronic stroke.
- Both after routine physiotherapy (RP) and after WBV, an improvement in mobility was observed compared to the state before the procedures (Fig. 1).
- No harmful effects of vibrotherapy have been reported in post-stroke patients.
Prepared on the basis of:
The effects of whole body vibration on gait after chronic stroke: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. Ijaz Ahmed Burq HS, Karimi H, Ahmad A i wsp. J Pak Med Assoc. 2021 Nov;71(11):2511-2514.
Study population
The study included 64 patients of both sexes, aged 40-75 years, with chronic consequences of stroke, presented for at least 6 months. The patients’ medical condition had to be stable, with the ability to stand alone with or without assistance for at least 20 minutes, and to perform WBV on their own. Excluding factors from the study were: acute thrombotic diseases, severe cardiovascular diseases, pacemaker, multiple sclerosis, acute hernia, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, peripheral neuropathy, migraine, epilepsy, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and spondylitis.
Test procedure
A randomized, protocol-blind, controlled study was conducted in a clinical setting (November 2017 – April 2019). The patients were randomly divided into two equal groups. One group received routine physiotherapy (RP) and the other group received WBV. Treatments in both groups were performed in 12 sessions. The results of the timed up and go (TUG) test and the 10-meter gait test before and after the procedures were analyzed. The 10 meter walk test was performed in 2 variants: the 10 meter walk test at low speed (10MWT-SS) and the 10 meter walk test at high (fast) speed (10MWT-FS).
Use of vibration in the study
The vibrations were administered on the Crazy Fit Massage platform (the position of the respondents – standing upright). Vibration parameters: amplitude = 3 mm, frequency = 20 Hz. A given WBV session consisted of 5 rounds of 120 seconds with 60-second rest periods. There was 1 session a day, 6 days a week for 2 weeks.
Results
Either after RP or WBV, there was a difference from the pre-treatment status in the TUG, 10MWT-SS and 10MWT-FS scores (p < 0.001). There were no differences between the RP and WBV groups (p > 0.05) – see Fig. 1.
Comment
The presented article shows that vibrotherapy can be as effective in improving walking speed of people with chronic consequences of stroke as routine physiotherapy.
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