Effects of active vibration exercise using a Flexi-Bar on balance and gait in patients with chronic stroke

Abstract

[Purpose] This study aimed to investigate the effect of active vibration exercise using a Flexi-Bar on the balance and gait of chronic stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-two patients with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to an experimental or control group (n=11 each). The experimental group performed active vibration exercise using a Flexi-Bar. Balance was measured using the Berg Balance Scale and Functional Reach Test. Gait was measured with the 10-meter Walk Test and Timed Up and Go Test. [Results] Intragroup comparisons in the experimental group showed significant differences in Berg Balance Scale, Functional Reach Test, 10-meter Walk Test, and Timed Up and Go Test results, whereas intergroup comparisons showed significant differences in Berg Balance Scale, Functional test, 10-meter Walk Test, and TUGT results. [Conclusion] On the basis of these results, it was concluded that active vibration exercise using a Flexi-Bar effectively improves the balance and gait of patients with chronic stroke.

Effects of flexi-bar training on muscle strength and physical performance in older people with dynapenia: the protocol of a randomised controlled trial

“…Two studies have investigated the effects of flexi-bar training on the physical performance in the older population. 21 22 The authors reported that the performance in TUG and 10MWT was improved after long-term flexi-bar training. 21 However, these studies had no placebo group.…”

“…21 22 The authors reported that the performance in TUG and 10MWT was improved after long-term flexi-bar training. 21 However, these studies had no placebo group. Thus, drawing a conclusion from these two studies is inappropriate.…”

“…20 In a study on the physical performance by Lee and Han, older people with chronic stroke exhibited significant improvement in the score of Berg Balance Scale, the duration of completion of timed-up-and-go test (TUG) and 10-metre walking test (10MWT) after 4 weeks of flexi-bar training (20 times). 21 Moreover, the flexi-bar training could induce a strong stimulus on the muscle during submaximal exercise, 17 23 Strengths and limitations of this study ► This study is the first parallel randomised controlled trial on the effects of a 12-week flexi-bar training programme on muscle strength and physical function in older people with dynapenia, and the study design involves a placebo group. ► This study, comprising 12-week flexi-bar training and 12-week follow-up, can accurately examine the effects of flexi-bar on older people with dynapenia.…”

“… 20 In a study on the physical performance by Lee and Han, older people with chronic stroke exhibited significant improvement in the score of Berg Balance Scale, the duration of completion of timed-up-and-go test (TUG) and 10-metre walking test (10MWT) after 4 weeks of flexi-bar training (20 times). 21 Moreover, the flexi-bar training could induce a strong stimulus on the muscle during submaximal exercise, 17 23 which could be the indirect evidence for supporting the positive effect of flexi-bar training on muscle strength. These findings suggest that flexi-bar training might be an effective approach to enhance muscle strength and physical performance at the submaximal level.…”

“…17 Some studies have reported that long-term flexi-bar training has positive effects on the muscle mass, 18 19 muscle strength 20 and physical performance. 21 22 A study reported that the thickness of the transversus abdominis muscle of young university adults increases to 2.4 mm after a 6-month (48 times) flexi-bar training programme. 18 In another study, the overweight adults with a 12-week flexi-bar training programme exhibited a significant increase in handgrip strength, which was significantly different from that of the control group.…”