A study on the immediate effects of plantar vibration on balance dysfunction in patients with stroke

Abstract

The aim of this study was to estimate the immediate effects of plantar vibration, applied to the more affected foot, on balance impairment in patients post-stroke. This pretest-posttest clinical study included 18 patients (13 men) poststroke; mean age 56.0±8.9 years (range, 41–71 years). One session of 5-min vibratory stimuli (frequency, 100 Hz) was applied to the plantar region of the more affected foot of all participants. The plantar vibration significantly improved the Timed UP and Go test (P=0.03, Cohen d=0.15), ankle plantar flexor muscle spasticity (P=0.008), and ankle passive range of motion (P<0.001, Cohen d=0.74). The posturography measures and Functional Reach Test did not improve significantly (P>0.05). Vibration stimuli applied to the plantar region of the more affected foot had significant effects on spasticity, ankle passive range of motion and dynamic balance as evaluated by the Timed Up and Go test in patients poststroke. There was no effect on static balance performance. Based on the results, the focal vibratory stimuli applied directly to the plantar region of the more affected foot may be recommended to improve the functional mobility and dynamic balance in patients with stroke.

Effect of Ankle Plantar Flexor Spasticity Level on Balance in Patients With Stroke: Protocol for a Cross-Sectional Study

“…The static balance of patients was evaluated by posturography. The use of force plate in balance measurement of the patients with stroke has been demonstrated [ 25 ]. The physiotherapist asked each patient to stand on the force plate with bare feet, heels apart by 9 cm and at 30° angle, and upper limbs comfortably along the body.…”

“…Each condition was repeated 3 times (with a 20-second interval), and the duration of each repetition was 20 seconds. Velocity (in centimeters per second) and the anteroposterior and mediolateral displacements (in centimeters) were recorded 3 times, and an average was calculated [ 25 ].…”

Retrospective study of effect of whole-body vibration training on balance and walking function in stroke patients

“…Stroke patients often have many dysfunctions, such as motor, speech, and swallowing dysfunction. Among them, balance dysfunction is the most common[ 4 , 5 ]. Vibration training can create mechanical vibrations that stimulate proprioceptors, such as Golgi’s body, and then trigger the stretch reflex, thereby enhancing muscle function and the adaptability of the nervous system[ 6 - 8 ].…”

Prospecção científica e tecnológica do uso da vibração focal em comprometimentos motores em decorrência de patologias neurológicas

“…Os comprometimentos motores ocasionadas por patologias neurológicas são uma das principais causas de incapacidade funcional no mundo, isso devido as alterações decorrentes de danos cerebrais que afetam principalmente a área motora, provocando déficits importantes que prejudicam a independência e funcionalidade destes pacientes. Dentre as alterações provenientes dessas condições patológicas, pode-se observar distúrbios de movimentos, espasticidade, fraqueza muscular, déficits de equilíbrio, marcha e sensibilidade comuns nestas patologias (Khalifeloo et al, 2018;Li et al, 2019a;Costantino, Galuppo, & Romiti, 2016).…”