Effects of a single session of whole body vibration on ankle plantarflexion spasticity and gait performance in patients with chronic stroke: a randomized controlled trial.

摘要

To investigate the effects of a single session of whole body vibration training on ankle plantarflexion spasticity and gait performance in chronic stroke patients.Randomized controlled trial.Rehabilitation unit in university hospital.Thirty subjects with chronic stroke were randomized into either a control group (n = 15) or a group receiving a single session of whole body vibration (n = 15).The intervention group was actually treated with whole body vibration while the control group was treated with placebo treatment. Main measures: The spastic changes were measured clinically and neurophysiologically. Subjective evaluation of ankle spasticity was performed via a visual analogue scale. Gait performances were evaluated by the timed up and go test, 10-meter walk test and cadence. A forceplate was used for measuring foot pressure.The changes between whole body vibration and control groups were significantly different in Modified Ashworth Scale (1.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.06~1.60). The H (max)/M (max) ratio (0.14, 95% CI = 0.01~0.26) and visual analogue scale (1.87, 95% CI = 1.15~2.58) were significantly decreased. Whole body vibration could significantly improve gait velocity, timed up and go test (6.03, 95% CI = 3.17~8.89) and 10-meter walk test (1.99, 95% CI = 0.11~3.87). The uneven body weight posture on bilateral feet was also improved after vibration.These results suggest that a single session of whole body vibration training can reduce ankle plantarflexion spasticity in chronic stroke patients, thereby potentially increasing ambulatory capacity.