title: Effects of early whole-body vibration treatment on knee neuromuscular function and postural control after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effects of adding a whole-body vibration protocol at optimal frequency (WBV-OF) to a traditional rehabilitation programme (TRP) early after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, on maximal strength and balance, in comparison with a traditional rehabilitation programme.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 34 anterior cruciate ligament reconstructed patients with hamstring-tendon graft underwent either 4 weeks of WBV-OF training in addition to a traditional rehabilitation programme, or a traditional rehabilitation programme only, starting from the first month after surgery. Patients were assessed for maximal voluntary isometric strength during both knee extension and flexion and for balance on a force platform before, 1 month after treatment and at 3-month follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Strength symmetry of the knee flexor muscles improved in WBV-OF+TRP patients more than in TRP patients 1 month after treatment (mean 66% (standard deviation (SD) 15) vs 58% SD 13), and also at the 3-month follow-up (mean 77% (SD 15) vs 64% (SD 15)), with no differences in balance improvements between the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adding 4-weeks of WBV-OF to a traditional rehabilitation programme 1 month after surgery is effective in improving muscle strength of the knee flexor muscles. This early intervention may be incorporated into current rehabilitation to facilitate early strength recovery of anterior cruciate ligament reconstructed patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome Foro Italico, , Italy.
authors.forename: Eugenio Maria
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Pistone
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Laudani
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Camillieri
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Cagno
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tomassi
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Macaluso
authors.forename: Arrigo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giombini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D059549:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction / Q000379:methods / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D004856:Postural Balance; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D014732:Vibration / Q000627:therapeutic use*