Published online Aug 6, 2021. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i22.6268
Peer-review started: April 7, 2021
First decision: April 28, 2021
Revised: May 7, 2021
Accepted: May 24, 2021
Article in press: May 24, 2021
Published online: August 6, 2021
Dysfunction is a serious problem in stroke patients. Physical therapy is the most common treatment, which has some effect to regain strength, balance, and coordination. However, the effects of physical therapy have not yet met our wishes, so we are trying to find more effective treatments.
Kinds of physical means and brace therapy are important ways to improve function for stroke patients. However, it is well known that limb dysfunction in stroke patients is due to denervation, so we expected to find a treatment that could enhance neuromuscular reflex.
The aim of this study was to observe the effect of whole-body vibration training (WVT) on the recovery of balance and walking function in stroke patients, which could provide us some useful evidence for planning rehabilitation. The plan of the WVT, such as the training time and vibration frequency, is worth further exploration.
The clinical data of 130 stroke participants who underwent conventional rehabilitation treatment in our hospital from January 2019 to August 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The participants were divided into the WVT group and non-WVT (NWVT) group according to whether they were given WVT. In the WVT group, routine rehabilitation therapy was combined with WVT by the Galileo Med L Plus vibration trainer at a frequency of 20 Hz and a vibration amplitude of 0+ACY-plusmn+ADs-5.2 mm, and in the NWVT group, routine rehabilitation therapy only was given. The treatment course of the two groups was 4 wk. Before and after treatment, the Berg balance scale, 3 m timed up-and-go test, the maximum walking speed test, and upper limb functional reaching test were performed.
After 4 wk of training in the WVT group, both Berg balance scale score and functional reaching distance increased more than that in the NWVT group. Meanwhile, the timed up-and-go test and the maximum walking speed test were improved after training, and the change in the WVT group was greater than that in the NWVT group. Although there were further improvements in these indicators mentioned above, most patients still did not fully return to normal.
The WVT could be routinely used for stroke patients if they are able to complete the treatment program.
To improve the limb function of stroke patients, we think that it is better to be treated by enhancing the neuromuscular reflex. There should be more basic research on neuromuscular reflex in the future.