Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Therapy, Gimcheon University, Gimcheon, Republic of Korea
| [b] Department of Occupational Therapy, Semyung University, Jecheon, Republic of Korea
| [c] Department of Physiology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| [d] Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Min-Goo Lee, MD, PhD, Department of Physiology, Korea University College of Medicine, Anam-dong 5-Ga, Seongbuk-Gu, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea. Tel.: +82 2 2286 1194; Fax: +82 2 925 5492; E-mail: mingoolee@korea.ac.kr; Hwi-young Cho, PT, PhD, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Gachon University 191, Hambangmoe-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 21936, Republic of Korea. Tel.: +82 32 820 4560; Fax: +82 32 820 4420; E-mail: hwiyoung@gachon.ac.kr.
Note: [1] These two authors contributed equally to this study as co-first author.
Note: [2] Two authors have contributed equally to this work as corresponding author.
Abstract: OBJECTIVES:This study aimed to investigate the effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) training on ankle spasticity, balance, and walking ability in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) at cervical level. METHODS:Twenty-eight patients with cervical iSCI were randomly assigned to WBV (n = 14) or control group (n = 14). WBV group received WBV training, while control group was treated with placebo-treatment. All interventions were given for 20-min, twice a day, 5-days a week for 8-weeks. The spasticity of ankle plantar-flexors was assessed by estimating passive resistive force using a hand-held dynamometer. Balance was analyzed based on postural sway length (PSL) using a force plate. Timed-Up and Go test (TUG) and 10 m-Walk Test (10MWT) were used to assess walking ability. RESULTS:Both groups showed significant improvements in spasticity, balance and walking ability. Also, the significant differences between two groups were demonstrated in the outcomes of spasticity (3.0±1.7 vs 0.9±1.2), PSL (6.4±1.2 vs 3.2±0.9 with eyes-open, and 15.1±10.9 vs 7.4±4.3 with eyes-closed), TUG (2.3±1.3 vs 1.0±1.0), and 10MWT (3.5±2.3 vs 1.3±1.4). CONCLUSIONS:WBV may be a safe and effective intervention to improve spasticity, balance and walking ability in individuals with cervical iSCI. Thus, WBV may be used to improve these symptoms in clinics.
Keywords: Balance, incomplete spinal cord injury, whole body vibration
