J Korean Phys Ther.  2022 Oct;34(5):193-197. 10.18857/jkpt.2022.34.5.193.

Effects of Applying a Vibration Stimulation to Paretic Side and Non-Paretic Side on Balance and Gait in Stroke Patients: a Pilot Study

• Jeong HJ
• Park SH
• Jeon JY
• Kim BG

• KMID: 2536774
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.18857/jkpt.2022.34.5.193

Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility of a proposed study “To investigate the effects of applying a vibration stimulation to the paretic and non-paretic sides on balance and gait in stroke patients” before proceeding with the main study.
Methods
A total of 30 patients who had suffered a stroke and who met the selection criteria participated in this study. However, only 14 patients completed the study. The study subjects were randomly assigned to vibration stimulation on either both sides (B group) or the paralyzed side (P group). The interventions were applied for six weeks. The patients were assessed using the Berg balance scale (BBS), Timed up and go (TUG), 10-meter walk (10 MW), and 6-minute walk (6 MW) tests.
Results
There was a significant difference before and after the application of vibration stimulation in the BBS, TUG, 10MW, and 6 MW tests in the B group (p < 0.05). Similarly, there was also a significant difference observed in the 10 MW and 6 MW tests in the P group (p < 0.05). The difference between the two groups was not significant in the BBS, TUG, 10 MW, and 6 MW tests (p > 0.05).
Conclusion
This pilot study suggests that it would be feasible to conduct a large-scale randomized controlled trial (RCT) to examine the effects of applying a vibration stimulation to the paretic and non-paretic sides, on the balance and gait in stroke patients.

Keyword

Vibration stimulation; Non-paretic side; Stroke; Balance; Gait