A study on the immediate effects of plantar vibration on balance dysfunction in patients with stroke

The aim of this study was to estimate the immediate effects of plantar vibration, applied to the more affected foot, on balance impairment in patients post-stroke. This pretest-posttest clinical study included 18 pa-tients (13 men) poststroke; mean age 56.0±8.9 years (range, 41-71 years). One session of 5-min vibratory stimuli (frequency, 100 Hz) was applied to the plantar region of the more affected foot of all participants. The plantar vibration significantly improved the Timed UP and Go test (P=0.03, Cohen d=0.15), ankle plantar flexor muscle spasticity (P=0.008), and ankle passive range of motion (P 0.05). Vibration stimuli applied to the plantar re-gion of the more affected foot had significant effects on spasticity, ankle passive range of motion and dynamic balance as evaluated by the Timed Up and Go test in patients poststroke. There was no effect on static balance performance. Based on the results, the focal vibratory stimuli applied directly to the plantar region of the more affected foot may be recommended to improve the functional mobility and dynamic balance in patients with stroke. © 2018 Korean Society of Exercise Rehabilitation

Reliability and Validity of the Persian Version of the Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test in Patients with Stroke

Background: Stroke can cause balance disorders, which often lead to falls and fall-related injuries. The Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest) is a balance test that has been recently translated into Persian. The reliability and validity of the Persian version of Mini-BESTest have not been assessed in patients with stroke. Objectives: To assess the reliability and validity of the Persian version of the Mini-BESTest in patients with stroke. Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed. Thirty patients with stroke participated in this study. Patients were tested using the Mini-BESTest according to the Persian instructions, and two raters independently rated each patient�s performance. Each patient was matched with a healthy adult in the terms of age and gender. Healthy subjects were also tested for discriminative validity. Results: There was excellent correlation between two raters on the Persian version of the Mini-BESTest total scores (rPearson = 0.98, P < 0.001) and its sections (rPearson > 0.9). There was a significant difference between stroke patients and healthy subjects confirming the discriminative validity of the Persian version of the Mini-BESTest (19.4 ± 5.4 vs. 24.8 ± 2.3, P < 0.001). Limitations: We only assessed stroke patients, and the results may not be generalized to other patients with balance deficits. Conclusions: The Persian version of the Mini-BESTest is a reliable and valid tool for balance evaluation of stroke patients. © 2020, The Author(s)

A clinical single blind study to investigate the immediate effects of plantar vibration on balance in patients after stroke

Balance disorder is a very common cause of disability in patients after a stroke. Vibration therapy is one of the physiotherapeutic modalities used to improve balance. Objective: To investigate the immediate effects of plantar vibration on balance in patients with stroke. Methods: In this single blind comparative study, 22 patients with stroke (8 females, 14 males; age 55.82 ± 11.87 years old) participated. Patients underwent treatment, first with the placebo vibration and 1 week later with active vibration (frequency 100 HZ, 5 min). Mini-BESTest score, Modified Modified Ashworth Scale for plantar flexor spasticity, and ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion (PROM) were evaluated before and immediately after the placebo or active vibration. Results: A significant clinical improvement in balance, ankle plantar flexor spasticity, and the ankle dorsiflexion PROM was observed following either placebo or active vibration. The improvements after active vibration were significantly greater for all outcome measures compared with placebo vibration. There was a large effect size (Cohen's d = 0.85) for balance after active vibration. Conclusion: The vibration applied to the sole of the affected foot of patients after stroke was effective for improving balance, reducing ankle plantar flexor spasticity, and increasing ankle dorsiflexion PROM. © 2017 Elsevier Lt

A clinical single blind study to investigate the immediate effects of plantar vibration on balance in patients after stroke

Balance disorder is a very common cause of disability in patients after a stroke. Vibration therapy is one of the physiotherapeutic modalities used to improve balance. Objective: To investigate the immediate effects of plantar vibration on balance in patients with stroke. Methods: In this single blind comparative study, 22 patients with stroke (8 females, 14 males; age 55.82 ± 11.87 years old) participated. Patients underwent treatment, first with the placebo vibration and 1 week later with active vibration (frequency 100 HZ, 5 min). Mini-BESTest score, Modified Modified Ashworth Scale for plantar flexor spasticity, and ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion (PROM) were evaluated before and immediately after the placebo or active vibration. Results: A significant clinical improvement in balance, ankle plantar flexor spasticity, and the ankle dorsiflexion PROM was observed following either placebo or active vibration. The improvements after active vibration were significantly greater for all outcome measures compared with placebo vibration. There was a large effect size (Cohen's d = 0.85) for balance after active vibration. Conclusion: The vibration applied to the sole of the affected foot of patients after stroke was effective for improving balance, reducing ankle plantar flexor spasticity, and increasing ankle dorsiflexion PROM. © 2017 Elsevier Lt