Effects of Whole Body Vibration in Subacute Stroke Patients

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The overall aim of the proposed study is to determine whether whole body vibration is beneficial in promoting bone turnover, physical fitness and neuromotor performance in patients with subacute stroke.

Detailed Description
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Brief periods of Whole body vibration (WBV) have been shown to improve bone density in post-menopausal women and children with cerebral palsy. In addition to the apparent benefits on bone health, WBV has been shown to increase muscle strength, postural control, muscular blood flow and oxygen uptake in various populations. Therefore, WBV can potentially be used as a tool to improve muscle strength, balance, and cardiovascular performance, especially for those with relatively low level of functioning. Stroke patients are therefore possible beneficiaries of WBV, as they often demonstrate muscle weakness, balance deficits, and poor cardiovascular function, in addition to bone loss. Only one pilot study has examined the effects of WBV in stroke patients. Van Nes et al.showed that postural stability in chronic stroke patients is improved after a few minutes of WBV at 30Hz and 3mm amplitude. The overall aim of the proposed study is to determine whether whole body vibration is beneficial in promoting bone turnover, physical fitness and neuromotor performance in patients with subacute stroke.

Official Title
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Effects of Whole Body Vibration Training on Bone Health, Physical Fitness, and Neuromotor Performance in Individuals With Subacute Stroke: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Conditions
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Stroke

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: Whole body vibration therapy
* Other: standing on the vibration platform but no vibration will be applied


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: diagnosis of stroke medically stable able to understand simple verbal commands of chinese origin Exclusion Criteria: previous stroke in addition to the current admission other neurological conditions, in addition to stroke significant musculoskeletal or vascular conditions in the lower extremity metal implants in the lower extremity previous fracture in the lower extremity are taking or were taking bone resorption inhibitors

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: WBV<br>In their regular physiotherapy sessions, the subjects in the experimental group will receive whole body vibration therapy for a duration of 4 weeks during their stay in the Tung Wah Hospital. | Device: Whole body vibration therapy<br>* In their regular physiotherapy sessions, the subjects in the experimental group will receive WBV (20-240Hz, 10-minute sessions, 1 session per day, 5 sessions per week). The vibration loading will be carried out using the Fit-Vibe System (Germany), which is a vibration platform that is capable of generating vertical vibration.<br>|
| Active Comparator: CON<br>The subjects in this group will not receive whole body vibration therapy. | Other: standing on the vibration platform but no vibration will be applied<br>* The subjects in this group will perform the same exercises on the vibration platform as in the experimental group for the same duration, but no vibration will be given.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Level of bone resorption marker CTx |  | baseline, immediately after treatment, and 2-month follow-up | 
| Level of bone formation marker, BSAP |  | baseline, immediately after treatment, and 2-month follow-up | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Six minute walk test |  | baseline, immediately after treatment, and 2-month follow-up | 
| Ankle arm index |  | baseline, immediately after treatment, and 2-month follow-up | 
| Functional Ambulation category |  | baseline, immediately after treatment, and 2-month follow-up | 
| Leg muscle strength (hand-held dynamometry) |  | baseline, immediately after treatment, and 2-month follow-up | 
| Berg Balance Scale |  | baseline, immediately after treatment, and 2-month follow-up | 
| Modified Ashworth Scale of Spasticity |  | baseline, immediately after treatment, and 2-month follow-up | 
| Sensory threshold to light touch in the foot |  | baseline, immediately after treatment, and 2-month follow-up | 
| Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment |  | baseline, immediately after treatment, and 2-month follow-up | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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stroke, bone, gait, muscle, vibration, motor balance