Tag Archives: StimDesigns

Galileo Neuromuscular Responses

Eur J Appl Physiol. 2013 Jan;113(1):1-11. doi: 10.1007/s00421-012-2402-0.

The influence of vibration type, frequency, body position and additional load on the neuromuscular activity during whole body vibration

Ritzmann R, Gollhofer A, Kramer A.

Source

Institute of Sport and Sport Science, University of Freiburg, Schwarzwaldstraße 175, 79117 Freiburg, Germany. ramona.ritzmann@sport.uni-freiburg.de

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the influence of different whole body vibration (WBV) determinants on the electromyographic (EMG) activity during WBV in order to identify those training conditions that cause highest neuromuscular responses and therefore provide optimal training conditions. In a randomized cross-over study, the EMG activity of six leg muscles was analyzed in 18 subjects with respect to the following determinants:

  1. Vibration type: side-alternating vibration (SV) Galileo vs. synchronous vibration (SyV) Power Plate
  2. Frequencies (5-10, 15-20, 25-30 Hz)
  3. Knee flexion angle (10°, 30°, 60°)
  4. Stance condition (forefoot vs. normal stance)
  5. Load variation (no extra load vs. additional load equal to one-third of the body weight)

The results are:

  1. Neuromuscular activity during SV (Galileo) was enhanced compared to SyV (Power Plate)   (P < 0.05)
  2. A progressive increase in frequency caused a progressive increase in EMG activity (P < 0.05)
  3. The EMG activity was highest for the knee extensors when the knee joint was 60° flexed (P < 0.05)
  4. The plantar flexors in the forefoot stance condition was best (P < 0.05)
  5. Additional load caused an increase in neuromuscular activation (P < 0.05)

In conclusion, large variations of the EMG activation could be observed across conditions. However, with an appropriate adjustment of specific WBV determinants, high EMG activations and therefore high activation intensities could be achieved in the selected muscles.

The combination of high vibration frequencies with additional load on the SV platform (Galileo) led to highest EMG activities. Regarding the body position, a knee flexion of 60° and forefoot stance appear to be beneficial for the knee extensors and the plantar flexors, respectively.

EMG Activity Galileo (black) vs Power Plate (white)

EMG Activity Galileo (black) vs Power Plate(white)

EMG Activity Galileo (black) vs Power Plate(white)

 

Cerebral Palsy Cologne Concept

Cologne Children’s Hospital, Jan 2013

Intensive Physiotherapy and Home Based Vibration Training for Children with Cerebral Palsy: 

E. Schoenau, C. Stark, O. Semler – Children’s Hospital, University of Cologne, Germany

Background: Rehabilitation of children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) aims to reduce sequelae and enhance function. Physiotherapy is a rehabilitative strategy for the treatment of patients with CP, but with little supporting evidence for the different treatment concepts. The Cologne Concept “Auf die Beine” combines Interval-Rehabilitation consisting of short and intensive in-patient stays with 6 months home-based whole body vibration training. “Auf die Beine” is a routine procedure supported by the German health care system. We are presenting the gross motor function results after 6 months of training and additional 6 months follow-up.

Design: Retrospective analysis of 356 children and adolescents

Participants and Setting: 356 children and adolescents diagnosed with CP were included in the retrospective analysis. Mean age was 8.9 years (SD 4.4) and GMFCS levels were 7.3% level I, 14.9% level II, 30.3% level III, 31.2% level IV and 7.6% level V. All patients completed 6 months of home based whole body vibration training, two blocks of intensive physiotherapy and the 12 month visit (6 months follow-up).

Methods: Gross motor function was assessed with the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66) total score after 6 and 12 (Follow-up) months and the GMFM-88-Goal-Dimensions after 6 months.

Results: GMFM-66-Totalscore improved by 2.9 points (Mean 3.35; p<0.001) after 6 months and by 0.2 points (Mean 0.63; p=0.033) after 6 months follow-up. Goal dimension A (lying) improved by 2.0% (Mean 3.8; p=0.001), B (sitting) by 3.3% (Mean 5.9; p<0.001), C (crawling) by 4.8% (Mean 6.7; p<0.001), D (standing) by 5.1% (Mean 8.0; p<0.001) and E (walking) by 2.8% (Median 4.6; p<0.001).

Conclusion: The Interval-Rehabilitation combined with home-based training shows a significant positive effect on gross motor function in patients with CP. The results could be sustained after 6 months follow-up. To our knowledge this is the first retrospective evaluation of a routine health care concept for children with mobility problems.

Cerebral Palsy Children Improve

Clinical Rehabilitation February 14, 2013

Effect of whole body vibration training on mobility in children with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled experimenter-blinded study

Byoung-Kwon Lee,  Seung-Chul Chon Department of Physical Therapy, Konyang University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
Seung-Chul Chon, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Medical Science, Konyang University, Gasuwon-Dong, Seo-Gu, Daejeon 302-718, Republic of Korea.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate ambulatory function and leg muscle thickness after whole body vibration training in children with cerebral palsy.

Design: A block randomized controlled trial with two groups.

Setting: Physical therapy department laboratory.

Subjects: A total of 30 (15 experimental, mean (SD) age 10.0 (2.26) years and 15 control, 9.6 (2.58)) children with cerebral palsy, 15 males and 15 females.

Interventions: The experimental group underwent whole body vibration training combined with conventional physical therapy training; the control group underwent conventional physical therapy training three days a week for eight weeks respectively.

Main outcome measures: Three-dimensional gait analyses and ultrasonographic imaging of the leg muscles were measured at pre- and post-test of intervention for eight weeks.

Results: Whole body vibration training resulted in significantly better gait speed (P = 0.001, from 0.37 (0.04) m/s to 0.48 (0.06)), stride length (P = 0.001, from 0.38 (0.18) m to 0.48 (0.18)) and cycle time (P = 0.001, from 0.85 (0.48) s to 0.58 (0.38)) in the experimental group compared with that in the control group. The ankle angle (P = 0.019, from 7.30 (4.02) degree to 13.58 (8.79)) also showed a remarkable increase in the experimental group, but not the hip (P = 0.321) and knee angle (P = 0.102). The thicknesses of the tibialis anterior (P = 0.001, 0.48 (0.08) mm to 0.63 (0.10)) and soleus (P = 0.001, 0.45 (0.04) mm to 0.63 (0.12)) muscles were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group. However, no significant effect was observed in the thickness of the gastrocnemius muscle (P = 0.645).

Conclusions: These findings suggest that whole body vibration may improve mobility in children with cerebral palsy, probably through a positive effect on the leg muscles

CP-AnkleAngle

CP-StrideLength CP-GaitSpeed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CP-ThicknessTibialisAnteriorCP-ThicknessSoleus

Children with Cystic Fibrosis

J Clin Med Res. 2013 Jun;5(3):205-16. doi: 10.4021/jocmr1137w. Epub 2013 Apr 23.

The effect of whole body vibration exposure on muscle function in children with cystic fibrosis: a pilot efficacy trial

O’Keefe K, Orr R, Huang P, Selvadurai H, Cooper P, Munns CF, Singh MA.

Source

Exercise, Health and Performance, Faculty Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Australia.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

To examine the effects of whole body vibration (WBV) exposure on muscle function in children with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Non-randomised controlled cross-over trial.

METHODS:

The setting was home-based WBV exposure. The participants were children (8 – 15 years) with CF (n = 7).

INTERVENTION:

participants served as their own controls for the first four weeks (usual care), then underwent four weeks of parentally-supervised home-based WBV exposure followed by four weeks washout (usual care). The WBV exposure consisted of 20 – 30 minutes of intermittent (1 min vibration:1 min rest) exposure on a Galileo platform (20 – 22Hz, 1 mm amplitude) 3 days/week. The primary outcome measures of absolute and relative lower body (leg extension (LE), leg press (LP)), upper body (chess press (CP)) strength and power, and power were measured at baseline, and weeks 4, 8 and 12. Secondary exploratory outcomes were cardiorespiratory fitness, pulmonary function and health-related quality of life.

RESULTS:

Six participants completed the training without adverse events. Muscle function changes following WBV exposure were not statistically significant. However, moderate-to-large relative effect sizes (ES) favouring WBV were evident for leg extension strength (ES = 0.66 (-0.50, 1.82)), LP relative strength (ES = 0.92 (-0.27, 2.11)), leg press peak power (ES = 0.78 (-0.50, 2.07)) and CMJ height (ES = 0.60 (-0.56 to 1.76)).

CONCLUSIONS:

The results from this first controlled trial indicate that WBV may be a potentially effective exercise modality to safely increase leg strength and explosive power in children with CF. Potentially clinically relevant changes support continued investigation of the efficacy, mechanism and feasibility of this intervention in future large-scale studies.

KEYWORDS:

Children, Cystic Fibrosis, Muscle function, Muscle power, Vibration

Duchene Muscular Dystrophy

J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact. 2013 Mar;13(1):13-8.

Whole body vibration therapy in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy – a prospective observational study.

Söderpalm AC, Kroksmark AK, Magnusson P, Karlsson J, Tulinius M, Swolin-Eide D.

Source

Department of Orthopedics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Östra, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden. ann-charlott.soderpalm@vgregion.se

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To study the tolerability of whole body vibration (WBV) exercise in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and its effects on muscle and bone.

METHODS:

WBV was performed two to three times a week for three months. Motor function, muscle strength, bone mass and biochemical markers of bone and mineral metabolism were analyzed before and after the WBV period at 0, 3, 6 and 12 months.

RESULTS:

Six ambulatory patients with DMD aged 5.7-12.5 years completed the study. No changes in creatine kinase activity were found, indicating that the WBV exercise did not further damage the skeletal muscle. No significant changes in bone mass, muscle strength or bone markers were found. However, there was a non-significant trend for the bone formation marker, bone-specific alkaline phosphate, to increase from a mean of 59 U/L to 73 U/L after three months of WBV. The bone formation marker levels returned to baseline three months after discontinuing WBV and were still at that level after nine months.

CONCLUSIONS:

WBV therapy appears to be safe and well tolerated among ambulatory DMD patients. The potential benefits of WBV on bone and muscle in DMD remain to be elucidated.

PMID: 23445910

Postural Control in Parkinsons

Res Sports Med. 2005 Jul-Sep;13(3):243-56.

Effects of random whole-body vibration on postural control in Parkinson’s disease.

Turbanski S, Haas CT, Schmidtbleicher D, Friedrich A, Duisberg P.

Source

Institute of Sport Sciences, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany. turbanski@sport.uni-frankfurt.de

Abstract

We investigated spontaneous effects of random whole-body vibration (rWBV) on postural control in Parkinsonian subjects. Effects were examined in biomechanical tests from a total of 52 patients divided equally into one experimental and one control group. Postural control was tested pre- and post-treatment in two standardized conditions (narrow standing and tandem standing).

The intervention was based on rWBV (ŷ: 3 mm, f: 6 Hz/sec) consisting of 5 series lasting 60 seconds each.

The main findings from this study were that:

  1. rWBV can improve postural stability in Parkinson’s disease (PD) spontaneously
  2. these effects depend on the test condition.
  3. Based on the results of this study, rWBV can be regarded as an additional device in physical therapy in PD.

PMID: 16392539