title: Effects of whole-body vibration on muscle architecture, muscle strength, and balance in stroke patients: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of whole-body vibration on lower limb muscle architecture, muscle strength, and balance in stroke patients during a period of 3 mos.
  
  
  METHODS
  The inclusion criteria were having had ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke at least 6 mos before the study and a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of greater than 1 and less than 20. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group (n = 11, six men and five women; age, 62.4 ± 10.7 yrs; height, 1.64 ± 0.07 m; mass, 69.4 ± 12.9 kg) and a sham group (n = 9, five men and four women; age, 64.4 ± 7.6 yrs; height, 1.62 ± 0.07 m; mass, 75.0 ± 15.8 kg). The experimental group received a whole-body vibration treatment, with an increase in frequency, sets, and time per set during 17 sessions. The sham group performed the same exercises as that of the experimental group but was not exposed to vibration. Outcome variables included the muscle architecture (the rectus femoris, the vastus lateralis, and the medial gastrocnemius), the maximal isometric voluntary contraction of the knee extensors, and the Berg Balance Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences between the groups on the primary outcomes of lower limb muscle architecture, muscle strength, and balance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It seems that whole-body vibration exercise does not augment the increase in neuromuscular performance and lower limb muscle architecture induced by isometric exercise alone in stroke patients.
authors: From the Research Center in Physical Disability, ASPAYM Castilla y León Foundation, Valladolid, Spain (PJM, CMF, HM, JM, AJH); and Faculty of Health Sciences, Miguel de Cervantes European University, Valladolid, Spain (PJM, AJH).
authors: Pedro J
authors: PJ
authors: Marín
authors: Cristina M
authors: CM
authors: Ferrero
authors: Héctor
authors: H
authors: Menéndez
authors: Juan
authors: J
authors: Martín
authors: Azael J
authors: AJ
authors: Herrero
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014732:Vibration