title: The effects of whole-body vibration therapy on bone turnover, muscle strength, motor function, and spasticity in chronic stroke: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Whole-body vibration (WBV) has been used in older adults to improve bone health and neuromuscular function, and may have potential applications for stroke patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of WBV on bone turnover, leg muscle strength, motor function, and spasticity among chronic stroke patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trial (RCT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Community.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-two chronic stroke patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The experimental group underwent exercise training with WBV stimulation for a maximum of 15 minutes, 3 days per week for 8 weeks. The controls received the same exercises without WBV. Participants were evaluated for isokinetic knee muscle strength, serum levels of bone formation and resorption markers, spasticity and motor function of the paretic leg at baseline, immediately after the 8-week training period, and 1-month follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intention-to-treat analysis revealed no significant changes in levels of bone turnover markers and motor function of the paretic leg over time in both groups. Muscle strength outcomes showed no significant group×time interaction, with similar significant improvements found in both groups. Spasticity of the paretic knee was significantly reduced in the experimental group (P=0.005), but not in controls (P=0.465). No serious adverse events were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The WBV protocol used in this study did not induce additional effects on bone turnover, knee muscle strength and paretic leg motor function among chronic stroke patients. WBV may have potential to modulate spasticity, but this requires further investigation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  More study on WBV is required before it can be recommended as an adjunct treatment in rehabilitation of chronic stroke patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong - Marco.Pang@inet.polyu.edu.hk.
authors.forename: M Y C
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.forename: R W K
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Yip
mesh_terms: D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000502:physiology*; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000097:blood; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010455:Peptides / Q000097:blood; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D014732:Vibration / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D024042:Collagen Type I; D010455:Peptides; C052929:collagen type I trimeric cross-linked peptide; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase