1. No Specific Effect of Whole-Body Vibration Training in Chronic Stroke: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Study
- Author
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Christina Brogårdh, Ulla-Britt Flansbjer, and Jan Lexell
- Subjects
Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Modified Ashworth scale ,Hemiplegia ,Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation ,Isometric exercise ,Vibration ,law.invention ,Physical medicine and rehabilitation ,Double-Blind Method ,Randomized controlled trial ,law ,Isometric Contraction ,medicine ,Humans ,Whole body vibration ,Knee ,Muscle Strength ,Stroke ,Gait Disorders, Neurologic ,Physical Therapy Modalities ,Balance (ability) ,Rehabilitation ,Stroke Rehabilitation ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,Gait ,Other Medical Sciences not elsewhere specified ,Muscle Tonus ,Berg Balance Scale ,Linear Models ,Physical therapy ,Female ,Psychology - Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) training in individuals after stroke. DESIGN: A double-blind randomized controlled study with assessments pre- and posttraining. SETTING: A university hospital rehabilitation department. PARTICIPANTS: Participants (N=31; mean age ± SD, 62±7y; 6-101mo poststroke) were randomized to an intervention group or a control group. INTERVENTIONS: Supervised WBV training (2 sessions/wk for 6wk; 12 repetitions of 40-60s WBV per session). The intervention group trained on a vibrating platform with a conventional amplitude (3.75mm) and the control group on a "placebo" vibrating platform (0.2mm amplitude); the frequency was 25Hz on both platforms. All participants and examiners were blinded to the amplitudes of the 2 platforms. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome measures were isokinetic and isometric knee muscle strength (dynamometer). Secondary outcome measures were balance (Berg Balance Scale), muscle tone (Modified Ashworth Scale), gait performance (Timed Up & Go, comfortable gait speed, fast gait speed, and six-minute walk tests), and perceived participation (Stroke Impact Scale). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the 2 groups after the WBV training. Significant but small improvements (P CONCLUSIONS: Six weeks of WBV training on a vibration platform with conventional amplitude was not more efficient than a placebo vibrating platform. Therefore, the use of WBV training in individuals with chronic stroke and mild to moderate disability is not supported.
- Published
- 2012
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