Effects of Whole Body Vibration in Subacute Stroke Patients

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Status: Unknown

Conditions: Stroke

Treatments: Device: Whole body vibration therapy; Other: standing on the vibration platform but no vibration will be applied

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT00796237

UW-08-032

Details and patient eligibility

About

The overall aim of the proposed study is to determine whether whole body vibration is beneficial in promoting bone turnover, physical fitness and neuromotor performance in patients with subacute stroke.

Full description

Brief periods of Whole body vibration (WBV) have been shown to improve bone density in post-menopausal women and children with cerebral palsy. In addition to the apparent benefits on bone health, WBV has been shown to increase muscle strength, postural control, muscular blood flow and oxygen uptake in various populations. Therefore, WBV can potentially be used as a tool to improve muscle strength, balance, and cardiovascular performance, especially for those with relatively low level of functioning. Stroke patients are therefore possible beneficiaries of WBV, as they often demonstrate muscle weakness, balance deficits, and poor cardiovascular function, in addition to bone loss. Only one pilot study has examined the effects of WBV in stroke patients. Van Nes et al.showed that postural stability in chronic stroke patients is improved after a few minutes of WBV at 30Hz and 3mm amplitude. The overall aim of the proposed study is to determine whether whole body vibration is beneficial in promoting bone turnover, physical fitness and neuromotor performance in patients with subacute stroke.

Enrollment: 60 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• diagnosis of stroke
• medically stable
• able to understand simple verbal commands
• of chinese origin

Exclusion criteria

• previous stroke in addition to the current admission
• other neurological conditions, in addition to stroke
• significant musculoskeletal or vascular conditions in the lower extremity
• metal implants in the lower extremity
• previous fracture in the lower extremity
• are taking or were taking bone resorption inhibitors

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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60 participants in 2 patient groups

WBV

Experimental group

Description:

In their regular physiotherapy sessions, the subjects in the experimental group will receive whole body vibration therapy for a duration of 4 weeks during their stay in the Tung Wah Hospital.

Treatment:

Device: Whole body vibration therapy

CON

Active Comparator group

Description:

The subjects in this group will not receive whole body vibration therapy.

Treatment:

Other: standing on the vibration platform but no vibration will be applied