title: Segmental muscle vibration modifies muscle activation during reaching in chronic stroke: A pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Segmental muscle vibration (SMV) improves motor performances in neurological conditions, including stroke.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine if SMV modifies upper limb muscular activity in chronic stroke patients performing a reaching movement.
  
  
  METHODS
  We randomized 22 chronic stroke patients to an experimental group (EG; n = 12), receiving 10 sessions of exercise + 120 Hz SMV over the biceps brachii (BB) and the flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) muscles, or to a control group (CG; n = 10) receiving exercise only. All subjects performed a reaching movement with the affected side before and 4 weeks after therapy ended. We recorded surface EMG activity of the anterior deltoid (AD), posterior deltoid (PD), BB, triceps brachii (TB), FCU and extensor carpi radialis (ECR) muscles. We calculated muscular onset times, modulation ratio, co-contractions and degree of contraction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After SMV, onset times of the PD (p = 0.03), BB (p = 0.02) and ECR (p = 0.04) in the EG were less anticipated than at baseline; the modulation ratio increased in AD (p = 0.003) and BB (p = 0.01); co-contractions decreased in the pairs BB/TB (p = 0.007), PD/BB (p = 0.004) and AD/BB (p = 0.01); and the degree of contraction decreased in BB (p = 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The modulation of muscular function induced by SMV may aid to explain its action on smoothness and coordination of movements.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Sapienza - University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paoloni
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Neuro-Rehabilitation Division, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tavernese
authors.affiliation: IRCSS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fini
authors.affiliation: IRCSS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Patrizio
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sale
authors.affiliation: IRCSS San Raffaele Pisana, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Franceschini
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Sapienza - University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Valter
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Santilli
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Sapienza - University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mangone
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004576:Electromyography; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology; D014732:Vibration / Q000627:therapeutic use*
keywords: Stroke; electromyography; reaching movement; rehabilitation; vibration therapy