title: The effects of visual control whole body vibration exercise on balance and gait function of stroke patients.
abstract: [Purpose] This study aims to verify the effects of visual control whole body vibration exercise on balance and gait function of stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 22 stroke patients were randomly assigned to two groups; 11 to the experimental group and 11 to the control group. Both groups received 30 minutes of Neuro-developmental treatment 5 times per week for 4 weeks. The experimental group additionally performed 10 minutes of visual control whole body vibration exercise 5 times per week during the 4 weeks. Balance was measured using the Functional Reach Test. Gait was measured using the Timed Up and Go Test. [Results] An in-group comparison in the experimental group showed significant differences in the Functional Reach Test and Timed Up and Go Test. In comparing the groups, the Functional Reach Test and Timed Up and Go Test of the experimental group were more significantly different compared to the control group. [Conclusion] These results suggest that visual control whole body vibration exercise has a positive effect on the balance and gait function of stroke patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School of Nambu University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Eon-Tak
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Nambu University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yong-Nam
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Nambu University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Woon-Soo
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Science, Graduate School of Daegu University, Republic of Korea; Department of Physical Therapy, Sunhan Hospital, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Dong-Kyu
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Lee
keywords: Balance; Gait; Visual control whole body vibration exercise