Efficacy of Controlled Whole-Body Vibration Training on Improving Fall Risk Factors in Stroke Survivors: A Meta-analysis

Abstract

Background. Controlled whole-body vibration (CWBV) training has been applied to people with stroke. However, it remains inconclusive if CWBV reduces fall risk in this population. Objective. To (1) assess the immediate and retention effects of CWBV training on fall risk factors in people at postacute and chronic stages of stroke and (2) examine if CWBV dosage is correlated with the effect size (ES) for 3 fall risk factors: body balance, functional mobility, and knee strength. Methods. Twelve randomized controlled trials were included. ES was calculated as the standardized mean difference, and meta-analyses were completed using a random-effects model. Results. CWBV training may lead to improved balance and mobility immediately after training (ES = 0.27, P = .03 for balance; ES = 0.34, P = .02 for mobility) but not at the 3-month follow-up test (ES = 0.02, P = .89 for balance; ES = 0.70, P = .11 for mobility). CWBV affects knee strength capacity with mild ES (ES = 0.08 and 0.11, respectively, for immediate and retention effect; P ≥ .68 for both). Metaregression indicated that the immediate ES is strongly correlated with training dosage for balance ( r = 0.649; P = .029) and mobility ( r = 0.785; P = .036). Conclusions. CWBV training may benefit balance and mobility immediately, but the training effect may not persist among people with stroke. Additionally, the CWBV dosage correlates with the ES for body balance and mobility. More high-quality studies are needed to determine the retention effects of CWBV training.

Effects of Vibration Training on Cognition and Quality of Life in Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis

“…Different protocols could deliver various vibration dosages, and thus the training effects. 15 More research is needed to identify the optimal vibration parameters that can maximize the training effect in people with MS.…”

“…In the present study, the vibration amplitude and bout duration gradually increased from 2 mm and 1 minute, respectively. Given that the training dosage is closely associated with the amplitude and the bout duration and that the training dosage is strongly related to the training effect, 15 we hypothesized that the 6-week vibration training would improve cognition and QOL in people with MS. The findings from this study could furnish preliminary data to design large-scale studies to further test the effectiveness of vibration training in altering cognition and QOL in people with MS.…”

Focal Muscle Vibration for Stroke Rehabilitation: A Review of Vibration Parameters and Protocols

“…WBV has been widely studied, and the evidence agrees on the pros and the cons of its application in patients with stroke [32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40]. The application of FMV for patients with stroke has been less widely studied [28,29].…”

Interventions for preventing falls in people after stroke

“…One of the most common complications involves falls (Denissen et al, 2019). The decline of neuromotor performance caused by the underlying disease resulting in a stroke contributes to the majority of falls in stroke survivors (Yang and Butler, 2020). Muscle weakness, impairment in balance, loss of sensation, and limited mobility after a stroke increase the likelihood of a fall (Yang and Butler, 2020).…”

“…The decline of neuromotor performance caused by the underlying disease resulting in a stroke contributes to the majority of falls in stroke survivors (Yang and Butler, 2020). Muscle weakness, impairment in balance, loss of sensation, and limited mobility after a stroke increase the likelihood of a fall (Yang and Butler, 2020). Falls result in further complications for stroke survivors placing both psychological and economic burdens on the person and the family.…”