Whole-Body Vibration Combined with Treadmill Training Improves Walking Performance in Post-Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether whole-body vibration combined with treadmill training (WBV-TT) improves walking performance in chronic stroke patients compared to treadmill training alone (TT).
Results Summary
The WBV-TT group showed significant improvements in walking speed, cadence, step length, stride length, single-limb support, double-limb support, and 6-minute walk test compared to baseline and outperformed the TT group in walking speed, step length, stride length, and double-limb support.
Population
Ambulatory chronic stroke patients (n=30).
Effective Dosage
WBV-TT group: 4.5 minutes of whole-body vibration (45 seconds per exercise) followed by 20 minutes of treadmill training, 3 times weekly. TT group: same treadmill training without vibration.
Duration
6 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
whole-body vibration combined with treadmill training (WBV-TT) | increase | walking speed | patients with chronic stroke | - | showed significant improvements | #1 |
whole-body vibration combined with treadmill training (WBV-TT) | increase | cadence | patients with chronic stroke | - | showed significant improvements | #2 |
whole-body vibration combined with treadmill training (WBV-TT) | increase | step length | patients with chronic stroke | - | showed significant improvements | #3 |
whole-body vibration combined with treadmill training (WBV-TT) | increase | stride length | patients with chronic stroke | - | showed significant improvements | #4 |
whole-body vibration combined with treadmill training (WBV-TT) | increase | single-limb support | patients with chronic stroke | - | showed significant improvements | #5 |
whole-body vibration combined with treadmill training (WBV-TT) | increase | double-limb support | patients with chronic stroke | - | showed significant improvements | #6 |
whole-body vibration combined with treadmill training (WBV-TT) | increase | 6-minute walk test | patients with chronic stroke | - | showed significant improvements | #7 |
whole-body vibration combined with treadmill training (WBV-TT) | increase | walking speed | patients with chronic stroke | - | showed significant improvements | #8 |
whole-body vibration combined with treadmill training (WBV-TT) | increase | step length | patients with chronic stroke | - | showed significant improvements | #9 |
whole-body vibration combined with treadmill training (WBV-TT) | increase | stride length | patients with chronic stroke | - | showed significant improvements | #10 |
whole-body vibration combined with treadmill training (WBV-TT) | increase | double-limb support | patients with chronic stroke | - | showed significant improvements | #11 |
treadmill walking speed | increase | treadmill walking speed | patients with chronic stroke | 5% | was gradually increased | #12 |
BACKGROUND Stroke is characterized by an asymmetrical gait pattern that causes poor stability and reduces overall activity levels. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of whole-body vibration combined with treadmill training (WBV-TT) on walking performance in patients with chronic stroke. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty ambulatory chronic stroke patients were randomly allocated to the WBV-TT group or the treadmill training (TT) group. The participants in the WBV-TT group performed 6 types of exercises on a vibrating platform for 4.5 minutes and then walked on the treadmill for 20 minutes. The participants in the TT group conducted the same exercise on a platform without vibration and then walked on the treadmill in the same manner. The vibration lasted for 45 seconds in each exercise, and the intervention was performed 3 times weekly for 6 weeks. The treadmill walking speed was gradually increased by 5% in both groups. The outcome measures included the temporospatial parameter of gait (GAITRite®) and 6-minute walk test. RESULTS The WBV-TT group showed significant improvements in walking performance with respect to walking speed, cadence, step length, stride length, single-limb support, double-limb support, and 6-minute walk test compared with baseline (p<0.05). Significant improvements were also seen in walking speed, step length, stride length, and double-limb support compared with the TT group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that WBV-TT is more effective than TT for improving walking performance of patients with chronic stroke.