Article

Studies have described the effects of segmental muscle vibration (SMV) on brain plasticity and corticomotor excitability. Information on the
treatment-induced effects of SMV in stroke patients is, however, still limited.
OBJECTIVES: To assess whether the application of SMV to ankle dorsiflexor muscles
of chronic stroke patients can improve walking. METHODS: Forty-four patients were
randomly assigned to either an experimental group (EG) or a control group (CG)
and underwent 12 sessions over 4 weeks of general physical therapy. Patients in
the EG also received SMV at 120 Hz over the peroneus longus and tibialis anterior
for 30 minutes at the end of each session. All the participants underwent
pretreatment and posttreatment gait analysis assessments. Time-distance,
kinematic, and surface electromyography (EMG) data were used as outcome measures.
RESULTS: A moderate improvement in mean gait speed, normal-side swing velocity,
bilateral stride length, and normal-side toe-off percentage was observed only in
the EG. A significant increase in bilateral ankle dorsiflexion angle at heel
contact was associated with increased maximum ankle dorsiflexion and
plantarflexion degrees during the swing phase on the paretic side after treatment
in EG. Surface EMG during the swing phase revealed a significant increase in the
activation of the tibialis anterior muscle on the paretic side in the
posttreatment assessment in the EG. CONCLUSIONS: SMV added to general physical
therapy may improve gait performance in patients with foot drop secondary to
chronic stroke. The authors hypothesize that this may be due to the mechanical
vibration stimulation, probably as a consequence of effective brain
reorganization.

Langue : ANGLAIS