NCT06927206

Segmental Vibrator With NMES on Lower Limb Function in Subacute Stroke

Combined Effects of Segmental Vibrator With Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation for Dorsiflexors on Lower Limb Function in Subacute Stroke

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 50 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Riphah International University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 45 Years – 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Stroke is one of the world's leading causes of death and disability. It can cause a variety of motor disorders, such as apraxia, sensory deficits, abnormal muscle tone, inadequate weight transfer, lack of fine motor skills, incoordination, and balance deficit. These disorders can have a significant negative impact on a person's quality of life.

Detailed description

The definition of a stroke, as given by the World Health Organization (WHO), is a clinical illness that includes focused disruptions in cerebral functioning that develop quickly and have a vascular origin. Cerebrovascular accidents, or strokes, rank third in the world in terms of disability and are the second major cause of mortality. A stroke is a major cause of dementia and depression. A stroke is the abrupt death of some brain cells from a lack of oxygen when blood supply to the brain is interrupted by an artery rupturing or blocking the brain. Across the world, low- and middle-income nations account for 70% of stroke cases and 87% of stroke-related fatalities as well as disability-adjusted life years. Patients who have had a stroke often experience a variety of motor disorders, such as dysphagia and dysarthria, imbalance issues, apraxia, sensory deficiencies, abnormal muscle tone, abnormal motor pattern, inadequate weight transfer, lack of fine motor skills, and muscle weakness. After completing their rehabilitation, 50% to 60% of stroke patients still have some degree of motor impairments, and at least 50% of these patients depend on their daily activities. Muscle paresis and spasticity are two of the most prevalent stroke disabilities. This study aims to explore the effects of combining focal vibration (FV) with electrical neuromuscular stimulation (NMES) on the ankle dorsiflexors in subacute stroke patients. These techniques are relatively new in neurorehabilitation and have shown promise in reducing muscle stiffness and enhancing movement compared to traditional physiotherapy methods. By focusing on the lower limb issues commonly seen after a stroke, we seek to understand how this combination therapy can improve motor function in these patients. The findings of this study could help in developing more effective treatment strategies for stroke survivors dealing with lower limb dysfunction.

Conditions

• Subacute Stroke
• Ischemic Stroke

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Experimental Group A: Segmental vibrator only on dorsiflexor	Segmental vibrator only on dorsiflexor: After standard physiotherapy session this group received the intervention of segmental vibration. Tibialis anterior muscle targeted for dorsiflexor. The segmental vibration of high frequency i.e 100 Hz and low amplitude (0.2-0.5mm) was applied at muscle belly for 10 min while interpersed with a 1 min break by mean of segmental vibrator.
OTHER	Experimental Group B: Segmental vibrator + Electrical stimulation on dorsiflexors	Segmental vibrator + Electrical stimulation on dorsiflexors: After standard physiotherapy session this group received the intervention of neuromuscular electrical stimulations by means of EMS. Two electrodes were used for this procedure. Tibialis anterior muscle targeted for dorsiflexor. One pad of electrode was placed on anterior of lower leg just below tibial tuberisty and other was 5cm below to it .With a 250-microsecond pulse duration, the EMS device was set up to provide a biphasic current with a symmetrical waveform at 50 Hz for 15 seconds. It was also tuned for a 3-second ramp up time and a 30-second rest period. Each respondent set the intensity to the highest level they could tolerate. Secondly, segmental vibrator was applied for focal vibrations on tibialis anterior. The segmental vibration of high frequency i.e 100 Hz and low amplitude (0.2-0.5mm) was applied at muscle belly for 10 min while interpersed with a 1 min break by mean of segmental vibrator.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-04-10
• Primary completion: 2025-09-30
• Completion: 2025-09-30
• First posted: 2025-04-15
• Last updated: 2025-08-19

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Pakistan