NCT03015545

The Effects of WBV on Muscle Stiffness and Reflex Activity in Stroke.

The Effects of Whole Body Vibration (WBV) on Muscle Stiffness and Reflex Activity in People After Stroke.

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 36 (actual)
• Sponsor: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Spastic hypertonia is common after stroke. Whole-body vibration (WBV) is known to have modulatory effects of muscle reflex activity and blood flow in other populations and thus have potential applications in the management of spastic hypertonia post-stroke. This study aims to investigate the acute effect of WBV on leg muscle H-reflex, stiffness, and blood perfusion in people with chronic stroke.

Detailed description

Spastic hypertonia is common after stroke. Whole-body vibration (WBV) is known to have modulatory effects of muscle reflex activity and blood flow in other populations and thus have potential applications in management of spastic hypertonia post-stroke. However, the potential effects of WBV on leg muscle stiffness in stroke rehabilitation remains unknown. Scientific evidence is warranted to fill the knowledge gap. Purpose This study aims to investigate the acute effect of WBV on leg muscle H-reflex, stiffness and blood perfusion in people with chronic stroke. Methods Individuals with chronic stroke will be recruited from community self-help groups and existing patient database. Relevant information (e.g. demographic information, medical history) will be obtained from medical records and subject interviews. Each subject will have to fulfill the following inclusion criteria: (1) diagnosis of chronic stroke, (2) community-dwelling, (3) able to follow simple verbal instructions. Exclusion criteria are: (1) other diagnoses of neurological conditions, (2) significant musculoskeletal conditions (e.g. amputations), (3) metal implants in the lower extremity or spine, (4) recent fracture in the lower extremity, (5) diagnosis of osteoporosis, (6) vestibular disorders, (7) peripheral vascular disease, and (11) other serious illnesses or contraindications to exercise. This is a single-blinded randomized within-patient cross-over study. Each participant was evaluated for the soleus H-reflex, stiffness and blood perfusion of the medial gastrocnemius (MG) using ultrasound on both sides before and after either a 5-minute WBV intervention (30 Hertz, 1.5mm, knee flexed 60 degrees) or a no-WBV condition (5 minutes). The measurements were performed at baseline and every 1-min post-intervention up to 5 minutes. The outcomes generated included the soleus H/M ratio, shear modulus and vascular index (VI) of the MG muscle.

Conditions

• Stroke

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	paretic leg-control	standing on the vibration platform, with no vibration signals delivered.
DEVICE	paretic leg-WBV	standing on the vibration platform, with WBV at 30Hz, 1.5mm.
DEVICE	non-paretic leg-control	standing on the vibration platform, with no vibration signals delivered.
DEVICE	non-paretic leg-WBV	standing on the vibration platform, with WBV at 30Hz, 1.5mm.

Timeline

• Start date: 2017-05-01
• Primary completion: 2017-09-03
• Completion: 2017-12-31
• First posted: 2017-01-10
• Last updated: 2018-12-10

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Hong Kong