OBJECTIVE:   The aim of this study was to determine the effect of whole-body vibration training combined with task-related training on arm function, spasticity, and grip strength in subjects with poststroke hemiplegia.

DESIGN:  Forty-five subjects with post stroke were randomly allocated to 3 groups, each with 15 subjects as follows: control group, whole-body vibration group, and whole-body vibration plus task-related training group. Outcome was evaluated by clinical evaluation and measurements of the grip strength before and 4 weeks after intervention.

RESULTS:  Our results show that there was a significantly greater increase in the Fugl-Meyer scale, maximal grip strength of the affected hand, and grip strength normalized to the less affected hand in subjects undergoing the whole-body vibration training compared with the control group after the test. Furthermore, there was a significantly greater increase in the Wolf motor function test and a decrease in the modified Ashworth spasticity total scores in subjects who underwent whole-body vibration plus task-related training compared with those in the other 2 groups after the test.

CONCLUSIONS:  The findings indicate that the use of whole-body vibration training combined with task-related training has more benefits on the improvement of arm function, spasticity, and maximal grip strength than conventional upper limb training alone or with whole-body vibration in people with poststroke hemiplegia.

SUMMARY STUDY:   The study was performed in 45 subjects after stroke. Improvements were found in grip strength, spasticity, and arm function as determined in the Fugl-Mayer scale, the Ashworth scale and Wolf motor function test in the group with whole body vibration combined with task related arm training.

Figure 1

Performance of GMFCS II participants in the 6-minute walk test prior to (red) and after (blue) 20 weeks of whole-body vibration training.

Note that 34 participants started the tests, but only 21 and 22 reached the 400-metre mark at baseline and post-training, respectively. Data are means ± standard errors of the mean. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, and ****p < 0.0001 for baseline vs post-training.

Figure 2

Performance of GMFCS III participants in the 6-minute walk test prior to (red) and after (blue) 20 weeks of whole-body vibration training.

Six subjects started the tests, and the number of participants reaching a particular milestone is shown in the figure. Data are means ± standard errors of the mean. *p < 0.05 for baseline vs post-training.