Immediate Effects of Whole Body Vibration on the Range of Motion of the Lower Limbs of Stroke Patients with Hemiplegia

Abstract

[Purpose] This study was conducted to clarify the immediate effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) training on range of motion (ROM) of stroke patients with hemiplegia. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 30 patients with hemiplegia in our hospital who were able to walk. We classified them into two groups: the WBV group and the non-WBV group. We measured ROM, 10m walking time, Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and static standing balance before and after carrying out the 25Hz WBV training for 2 minutes in the standing position. [Result] ROM significantly improved after WBV training in the WBV group only. [Conclusion] These results indicate that WBV training might have an immediate stretch effect on stroke patients with hemiplegia.