title: Whole Body Vibration Training Improves Walking Performance of Stroke Patients with Knee Hyperextension: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of 8-week whole body vibration training on gait performance and lower extremity function in stroke patients with knee hyperextension.
  
  
  METHODS
  Total 30 subjects with stroke were randomized into the control group (n=15) or the intervention group (n=15). The patients of intervention group were treated with whole body vibration while the control group was treated with placebo. The walking function, lower limb function and knee hyperextension times were assessed in this study. Gait performances were evaluated by 10-meter walk test. The knee hyperextension times was visually observed and counted. The lower limb function was evaluated by Fugl-Meyer motor assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The times of the knee hyperextension of the intervention group was significantly decreased compared with control groups (P=0.000, d=1.749, 95%CI[2.915,7.285]). The walking function assessed by 10-meter test of intervention group was significantly improved compared with control group (P=0.001, d=1.345, 95%CI[1.896,6.704]). The performances of all the three tests were improved after training in both groups (P=0.000/P=0.000, d=1.500/d=1.952, 95%CI[3.309,9.891]/ 95%CI[5.549,12.45]; P=0.000/P=0.000, d=2.015/d=2.952, 95%CI[5.214,11.39]/95%CI[9.423, 15.98]; P=0.000/P=0.000, d=3.537/d=5.108, 95%CI[19.05,12.35]/95%CI[16.52,22.28]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that 8 weeks whole body vibration training can reduce knee hyperextension and increase ambulatory speed in stroke patients.
authors.forename: Chuan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Xun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Mi
authors.forename: Shouguo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Wenchao
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yi
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: Lan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.forename: Ti-Fei
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China. shanclhappy@163.com.
authors.forename: Chunlei
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shan
mesh_terms: D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014732:Vibration / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology