FV 5. Stochastic resonance therapy induces increased movement related caudate nucleus activity

Abstract

Objective Whole body vibration means a supplementation of canonical physical treatment and is performed while probands stand on a vibrating platform. Therapeutic vibration can be generated as non-stochastic vibratory pattern, which is referred to as stochastic resonance (SRT). Despite the widespread use of SRT its neurophysiological mechanism is still unclear. Design We performed a randomized sham-controlled double-blinded trial.The experimental group received 6 cycles of SRT with a frequency of 7 Hzusing the SR-Zeptor device, the sham group 1 Hz. At baseline 1,5T fMRI was performed in resting state and finger/foot tapping test. A second fMRI was performed after SRT as sham treatment in both groups. Subsequently, a second cycle of SRT as sham or verum with consecutive fMRI was performed, followed by a final fMRI on day 2 ( Fig. 1 ). Subjects Nineteen healthy volunteers were allocated to the experimental or sham group, respectively. Results and conclusion Subsequent analyses of specific effects revealed a significant treatment x time interaction effect (t = 4.10, p Fig. 2 ). This proof-of-concept study suggests the existence of cerebral effects of SRT.