Affiliations: [a] Department of Neurology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany | [b] Neurological Rehabilitation Centre Godeshoehe, Bonn, Germany | [c] Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, CSSC (Clinical Study Support Core), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany | [d] Institute of Neurosciences and Medicine (INM-1), Research Centre Jülich, Germany
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Oliver Kaut, University of Bonn, Department of Neurology, Sigmund-Freud-Strasse 25, Bonn 53105, Germany. Tel.: +49 228 28715712; Fax: +49 228 28716374; E-mail: oliver.kaut@ukb.uni-bonn.de
Abstract: Objective:To test the effects of stochastic whole body vibration (WBV) we performed a double-blind randomized controlled study. Methods:Patients were allocated either to the experimental or sham group. The experimental group received 5 cycles of stochastic WBV on three days, each cycle consisting of 5 stimulus trains of 60 seconds duration (frequency 6.5 Hz) and 60 seconds resting time between stimuli. Patients allocated to the control group received a sham treatment with 1 Hz. Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale, part III (UPDRSIII) was performed after treatment at baseline, after the first series on day 1 and on day 5. Results:The reduction of subscores included in UPDRS III relative to baseline served as primary outcome measure. After the five-day course bradykinesia was improved in 14 of 18 patients (77.8%) and postural stability in 8 of 18 (44.4%). Speech and facial expression remained unchanged in both groups. Tremor (p = 0.027) and postural stability (p = 0.048) showed a reduction also, but did not reached level of significance (p < 0.01); UPDRSIII sum score was improved by 26.7%. Conclusion:Stochastic whole body vibration may offer a supplementation to canonical physical treatments of PD motor symptoms.
Keywords: Parkinson's disease, whole body vibration, stochastic resonance therapy
