EFFECTS OF PLANTER VIBRATION ON BALANCE AND POSTURAL INSTABLITY IN CHRONIC STROKE PATIENTS

Article Information

Title: EFFECTS OF PLANTER VIBRATION ON BALANCE AND POSTURAL INSTABLITY IN CHRONIC STROKE PATIENTS

Authors: Yaser Majeed, Hafsah Arshad, Hafsah Gul Khattak, Abdul Moiz Khan, Fiza Farooq Abbasi, Kinza Anwar, Etisham Wahid

Journal: The Research of Medical Science Review

HEC Recognition History

Category	From	To
Y	2024-10-01	2025-12-31

Publisher: Innovative Education Research Institute

Country: Pakistan

Year: 2024

Volume: 2

Issue: 3

Language: English

Keywords: balanceBBSchronic stroke patientsplanter vibrationSS-QOLPASS

Abstract

To determine the effect of planter vibration on balance and postural control in chronic stroke patients. The randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted from June 2021 to September 2021. Thirty-six patients were divided into two groups on the basis of toss and coin method. The inclusion criteria were both gender of age between 40 years to 70 years, participants who had their first ever stroke ≥ 6 months ago, medically stable, able to walk without use of walking aids, Rankin Modified Scale 4 score and able to understand verbal commands. Participations in other treatment protocols for balance, presence of other neurological or musculoskeletal conditions affecting balance, history of fracture or lower-limb surgery within the 12 months, having vestibular, visual or auditory disorders were excluded from study. The outcomes of study were berg balance scale, the Modified of the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (PASS) and Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL). Measurements were taken at baseline and after six weeks of intervention. Data was analyzed using SPSS 21.The overall mean ages was 63.62±7.31years. Of 32 participants, 21 (66%) male and 11 (34%) female participants completed the study. Experimental group showed significantly better results for BBS, SS-QOL and M-PASS values (p&lt; 0.05 each). Planter vibration training along with conventional physiotherapy treatment had better outcome as compared to only conventional physiotherapy treatment on balance, postural control and quality life of in chronic stroke patients.

Disclaimer: The following sections are produced through an intensive multi-stage analytical pipeline developed by DefinePK, utilizing advanced natural-language processing, domain-specific knowledge models, and automated cross-referencing systems. Despite the rigor and computational effort involved, the generated summary may still contain inaccuracies or incomplete interpretations. Users are strongly advised to verify all critical information against the original paper and its authoritative sources.

Research Objective

To determine the effect of planter vibration on balance and postural control in chronic stroke patients.

Methodology

A single-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted from June 2021 to September 2021. Thirty-six chronic stroke patients (aged 40-70 years, first stroke within 6 months, medically stable, able to walk without aids, Rankin Modified Scale 4, able to understand commands) were randomly divided into two groups (control and experimental). Exclusion criteria included participation in other balance protocols, other neurological/musculoskeletal conditions, recent fracture/lower-limb surgery, vestibular/visual/auditory disorders, abnormal synergies, fixed ankle contractures, uncontrolled diabetes/hypertension, or medications affecting balance. The experimental group received conventional physiotherapy plus planter vibration (5 minutes, 20-40Hz, alternative days, 3 times/week for 6 weeks). The control group received only conventional physiotherapy. Outcomes were measured using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Modified Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (PASS), and Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL) at baseline and after six weeks. Data was analyzed using SPSS 21.0 with independent samples t-tests and paired samples t-tests.

Methodology Flowchart

                        graph TD
    A[Recruit Chronic Stroke Patients] --> B[Randomly Assign to Groups];
    B --> C[Control Group: Conventional Physiotherapy];
    B --> D[Experimental Group: Conventional Physiotherapy + Planter Vibration];
    C --> E[Baseline Measurements BBS, PASS, SS-QOL];
    D --> E;
    E --> F[6 Weeks Intervention];
    F --> G[Post-Intervention Measurements BBS, PASS, SS-QOL];
    G --> H[Data Analysis SPSS 21.0];
    H --> I[Compare Within and Between Groups];
    I --> J[Conclusion];

Discussion

Planter vibration training, when combined with conventional physiotherapy, demonstrated superior outcomes in improving balance, postural control, and quality of life in chronic stroke patients compared to conventional physiotherapy alone. This is attributed to the role of mechanoreceptors in the sole of the foot in postural control and the enhancement of afferent input through vibration stimulation.

Key Findings

The experimental group showed significantly better results for BBS, SS-QOL, and M-PASS values (p< 0.05 each) compared to the control group after the six-week intervention. Both groups showed significant within-group improvements (p<0.05) for BBS, SS-QOL, and MPASS.

Conclusion

Planter vibration training is an effective adjunct to conventional physiotherapy for improving balance, postural control, and quality of life in chronic stroke patients.

Fact Check

- The RCT was conducted from June 2021 to September 2021. (Confirmed in text)
- Thirty-six patients were initially enrolled and divided into two groups of 18. (Confirmed in text)
- The final analysis included 32 participants, with 21 (66%) male and 11 (34%) female. (Confirmed in text)

Mind Map

Loading PDF...

Loading Statistics...

DefinePK

Select Collection