Anti-spastic effects of the direct application of vibratory stimuli to the spastic muscles of hemiplegic limbs in post-stroke patients.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether the direct application of vibratory stimuli inhibits spasticity and improves motor function in the hemiplegic upper limbs of post-stroke patients.


METHODS
Prospective pilot study.


METHODS
University hospital rehabilitation centre.


METHODS
Fourteen post-stroke patients (mean age = 57.3 years; SD = 19.1 years).


METHODS
A hand and forearm stimulation device and an upper-arm stimulation device, consisting of vibrators, a wooden frame and a cloth strap, applied to the upper limbs of subjects.


METHODS
The modified Ashworth scale (MAS) score, F-wave parameters and motor-function parameters (finger tapping, active range of motion and the simple test for evaluating hand function).


RESULTS
Subjects showed significant and potentially durable improvements in MAS score (p < 0.01), F-wave parameters (p < 0.01) and motor-function parameters (p < 0.05). The MAS score, F-wave parameters and motor-function parameters dropped below the baseline values after vibratory stimulation. The MAS score and F-wave parameters remained significantly below the baseline 30 minutes after stimulation.


CONCLUSIONS
The direct application of vibratory stimuli is an effective non-pharmacological anti-spastic treatment that could facilitate stroke rehabilitation. These results provide good evidence of potential short-term benefits of anti-spastic vibratory therapy in post-stroke patients in terms of decreased muscle tonus and improved motor function.
Noma
Tomokazu
T
Department of Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Graduate school of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kirishima City, Japan.
Matsumoto
Shuji
S
Etoh
Seiji
S
Shimodozono
Megumi
M
Kawahira
Kazumi
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D014732:Vibration / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult