American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. 83(11):867-873, NOV 2004

DOI: 10.1097/01.PHM.0000140801.23135.09

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PMID: 15502741

Issn Print: 0894-9115

Publication Date: 2004/11/01


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Short-Term Effects of Whole-Body Vibration on Postural Control in Unilateral Chronic Stroke Patients: Preliminary Evidence

Ilse van Nes;Alexander Geurts;Henk Hendricks;Jacques Duysens;

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Abstract

van Nes IJW, Geurts ACH, Hendricks HT, Duysens J: Short-term effects of whole-body vibration on postural control in unilateral chronic stroke patients: Preliminary evidence. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2004;83:867–873.The short-term effects of whole-body vibration as a novel method of somatosensory stimulation on postural control were investigated in 23 chronic stroke patients. While standing on a commercial platform, patients received 30-Hz oscillations at 3 mm of amplitude in the frontal plane. Balance was assessed four times at 45-min intervals with a dual-plate force platform, while quietly standing with the eyes opened and closed and while performing a voluntary weight-shifting task with visual feedback of center-of-pressure movements. Between the second and third assessments, four repetitions of 45-sec whole-body vibrations were given. The results indicated a stable baseline performance from the first to the second assessment for all tasks. After the whole-body vibration, the third assessment demonstrated a reduction in the root mean square (RMS) center-of-pressure velocity in the anteroposterior direction when standing with the eyes closed (P < 0.01), which persisted during the fourth assessment. Furthermore, patients showed an increase in their weight-shifting speed at the third balance assessment (P < 0.05) while their precision remained constant. No adverse effects of whole-body vibration were observed. It is concluded that whole-body vibration may be a promising candidate to improve proprioceptive control of posture in stroke patients.

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