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

Objective: To investigate the effects of a single session of whole body vibration training on ankle plantarflexion spasticity and gait performance in chronic stroke patients. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Rehabilitation unit in university hospital. Participants: 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). Intervention: 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. Results: The changes between whole body vibration and control groups were significantly different in Modified Ashworth Scale (1.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.06 similar to 1.60). The H-max/M-max ratio (0.14, 95% CI = 0.01 similar to 0.26) and visual analogue scale (1.87, 95% CI = 1.15 similar to 2.58) were significantly decreased. Whole body vibration could significantly improve gait velocity, timed up and go test (6.03, 95% CI = 3.17 similar to 8.89) and 10-meter walk test (1.99, 95% CI = 0.11 similar to 3.87). The uneven body weight posture on bilateral feet was also improved after vibration. Conclusion: 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.