The neuromuscular responses in patients with Parkinson’s disease under different conditions during whole-body vibration training

Abstract

Background Whole-body vibration (WBV) training can provoke reactive muscle response and thus exert beneficial effects in various neurological patients. This study aimed to investigate the muscles activation and acceleration transmissibility of the lower extremity to try to understand the neuromuscular control in the Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients under different conditions of the WBV training, including position and frequency. Methods Sixteen PD patients and sixteen controls were enrolled. Each of them would receive two WBV training sessions with 3 and 20 Hz mechanical vibration in separated days. In each session, they were asked to stand on the WBV machine with straight and then bended knee joint positions, while the vibration stimulation was delivered or not. The electromyographic (EMG) signals and the segmental acceleration from the lower extremity were recorded and processed. The amplitude, co-contraction indexes (CCI), and normalized median frequency slope (NMFS) from the EMG signals, and the acceleration transmissibility were calculated. Results The results showed larger rectus femoris (RF) amplitudes under 3 Hz vibration than those in 20 Hz and no vibration conditions; larger tibialis anterior (TA) in 20 Hz than in no vibration; larger gastrocnemius (GAS) in 20 Hz than in 3 Hz and no vibration. These results indicated that different vibration frequencies mainly induced reactive responses in different muscles, by showing higher activation of the knee extensors in 3 Hz and of the lower leg muscles in 20 Hz condition, respectively. Comparing between groups, the PD patients reacted to the WBV stimulation by showing larger muscle activations in hamstring (HAM), TA and GAS, and smaller CCI in thigh than those in the controls. In bended knee, it demonstrated a higher RF amplitude and a steeper NMFS but smaller HAM activations than in straight knee position. The higher acceleration transmissibility was found in the control group, in the straight knee position and in the 3 Hz vibration conditions. Conclusion The PD patients demonstrated altered neuromuscular control compared with the controls in responding to the WBV stimulations, with generally higher EMG amplitude of lower extremity muscles. For designing WBV strengthening protocol in the PD population, the 3 Hz with straight or flexed knee protocol was recommended to recruit more thigh muscles; the bended knee position with 20 Hz vibration was for the shank muscles.

Effects of Vibration Training on Balance Stability in Long Jumpers

“…There was no difference in the peak of free vertical jumping ability between the vibration training group and the general training group before the experiment (P>0.05) (Table 1) The peak free vertical jump ability of the athletes after exercise was significantly different (P<0.01) (Table 2) The improvement in the vibration training group was more significant than that in the general training group by t-test. 10 There is a very significant difference between the two (P<0.01). It can be seen that both routine and vibration exercises can significantly improve the maximal lower limb ability of long jumpers.…”

Balance Changes Following a Controlled Whole-Body Vibration Training: A Pilot Analysis Addressing Balance Control in Adult Women with Obesity

“…Maghbouli et al reported that CWBV training using a vibration frequency higher than 100 Hz may improve muscle strength and open-eye mediolateral postural control, recommending this technique as a promising approach for decreasing fall risk (58). Additionally, several recent studies found this modality to be an effective stimulus to improve neuromuscular performance and balance in healthy individuals (26), as well as in elderly individuals with neurological disorders (27,32).…”

“…In recent years, there has been growing interest in using controlled whole-body vibration (CWBV) training not only as an alternative rehabilitation method for fall prevention but also across various fields exploring a wide range of demand-based applications. These include improving overall fatigue (25) and athletic performance (26), and adopting recovery-oriented approaches for the rehabilitation of neurological (27), musculoskeletal (28), and metabolic conditions by inducing biological responses that enhance functional parameters in these patients (29). However, despite promising results regarding the efficacy of WBV or CWBV combined with exercise in improving balance and proprioception, a recent systematic review indicated that no definitive conclusions could be drawn due to the heterogeneity of articles, duration of exposure, parameters characterizing mechanical vibration, and the lack of clinical trials exploring different frequencies and amplitudes (30).…”

The Feasibility of Whole-Body Vibration Training as an Approach to Improve Health in Autistic Adults

“…The established literature on the positive effects of WBV training in various populations has focused on older adults [18,22,30], post-menopausal women [31,32], those with neurological conditions [33][34][35], and athletes [36]. However, the literature on WBV in unique populations similar to ASD with deficits in motor control and physical fitness (e.g., Down syndrome and cerebral palsy) is limited but continues to emerge.…”