Focal Vibration Therapy for Motor Deficits and Spasticity Management in Post-Stroke Rehabilitation

 Didn't your competent? doctor create protocols on this a long time ago? NO? So, you don't have a functioning stroke doctor, do you? Why hasn't that doctor been fired a long time ago?

focal muscle vibration (6 posts to May 2020)

Focal Vibration Therapy for Motor Deficits and Spasticity Management in Post-Stroke Rehabilitation         

Federica Giorgi¹

Danilo Donati ^2,3,

Daniela Platano

^4,5 and

Roberto Tedeschi

^4,*

¹

Pediatric Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences, Via Zamboni 33, 40126 Bologna, Italy

²

Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Unit, Policlinico di Modena, 41125 Modena, Italy

³

Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy

⁴

Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy

⁵

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Brain Sci. 2024, 14(11), 1060; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14111060

Submission received: 22 September 2024 / Revised: 23 October 2024 / Accepted: 24 October 2024 / Published: 25 October 2024

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Neurorehabilitation: Emerging Techniques and Technologies)

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Abstract

Background: 

Focal mechanical vibration therapy has gained attention as a potential intervention to improve motor function while decreasing spasticity and pain in post-stroke patients. Despite promising results, there remains variability in study designs and outcomes, warranting a review of its clinical efficacy. 

Methods: 

A review was conducted to evaluate randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of focal mechanical vibration therapy on post-stroke rehabilitation. Six studies were included, assessing outcomes such as spasticity reduction (using the Modified Ashworth Scale), motor function recovery (Wolf Motor Function Test, Fugl-Meyer Assessment), and pain management (Visual Analog Scale, Numerical Rating Scale). The quality of studies was evaluated using the PEDro scale and RoB-2 tool. An overview review was conducted to provide a comprehensive analysis of the topic. 

Results: 

The included studies demonstrated significant reductions in spasticity and improvements in motor function in most patients receiving focal vibration therapy. Notable improvements were observed when focal vibration was combined with other rehabilitation techniques, such as progressive modular rebalancing or robotic rehabilitation. Pain levels were also reduced in several studies. However, differences in vibration parameters (frequency, amplitude), small sample sizes, and short follow-up periods limit the generalizability of the findings. 

Conclusions: 

Focal mechanical vibration therapy appears to be an effective adjunct in post-stroke rehabilitation, particularly for reducing spasticity and improving motor function. Although short-term benefits are promising, further research is required to determine long-term efficacy and optimal treatment parameters. This review evaluates the effectiveness of focal vibration therapy in treating motor deficits and spasticity in post-stroke patients. The results suggest its potential to improve these conditions, though further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm its long-term efficacy.