Abstract
Background and Objectives: Whole body vibration is widely used to enhance muscle performance, but evidence of its effects on the tendon stiffness of the knee extensor tendon in stroke remains inconclusive. Our study was aimed to determine the difference in patellar and quadriceps tendon stiffness between hemiparetic and unaffected limbs in stroke patients and to investigate the immediate effect of whole body vibration on tendon stiffness. Materials and Methods: The patellar and quadriceps tendon stiffness of first-ever hemiplegic stroke patients was evaluated with elastography to compare the differences between hemiparetic and unaffected limbs. After one 20 min session of whole body vibration exercise in the standing position, tendon stiffness was again measured to evaluate the immediate effects of whole body vibration on tendon stiffness. Results: The results showed no significant differences in the tendon stiffness of the patellar and quadriceps tendons between hemiparetic and unaffected limbs. However, significant associations were found between the tendon stiffness of the patellar and quadriceps tendons and knee extensor spasticity on the hemiparetic side (ρ = 0.62; p = 0.044). There were no significant changes in tendon stiffness after a single session of whole body vibration. Conclusions: In conclusion, knee extensor tendon stiffness in hemiparetic limbs is positively correlated to the degree of knee extensor spasticity in stroke patients. However, a single session of whole body vibration does not alter tendon stiffness.
Highlights
Decreased tendon stiffness has been noted in older people and paralytic patients due to spinal cord injury [1,2]
The biomechanical and physiological changes in knee extensors after stroke may lead to an unloading effect on tendons that is similar to the effects found in spinal cord injury patients and the elderly
We found no significant changes in the patellar and quadriceps tendon stiffness of both hemiparetic and unaffected limbs immediately after Whole body vibration (WBV) exercise, which was consistent with previous studies [13]
Summary
Decreased tendon stiffness has been noted in older people and paralytic patients due to spinal cord injury [1,2]. The biomechanical and physiological changes in knee extensors after stroke may lead to an unloading effect on tendons that is similar to the effects found in spinal cord injury patients and the elderly. Our study was aimed to determine the difference in patellar and quadriceps tendon stiffness between hemiparetic and unaffected limbs in stroke patients and to investigate the immediate effect of whole body vibration on tendon stiffness. Materials and Methods: The patellar and quadriceps tendon stiffness of first-ever hemiplegic stroke patients was evaluated with elastography to compare the differences between hemiparetic and unaffected limbs. Results: The results showed no significant differences in the tendon stiffness of the patellar and quadriceps tendons between hemiparetic and unaffected limbs. Significant associations were found between the tendon stiffness of the patellar and quadriceps tendons and knee extensor spasticity on the hemiparetic side (ρ = 0.62; p = 0.044). Conclusions: In conclusion, knee extensor tendon stiffness in hemiparetic limbs is positively correlated to the degree of knee extensor spasticity in stroke patients
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