Whole-body Vibration Research Articles

How effective is the addition of specific exercise therapy for patients after anterior cruciate ligament surgery? A systematic review and meta-analysis

ContextAnterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are prevalent in sports and often require surgical intervention followed by rehabilitation. Several rehabilitation methods have been used for patients after ACL surgery.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the overall efficacy of exercise therapy in improving outcomes for patients following ACL surgery using a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).Data sourcesPubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched for randomized controlled trials published from 1 January 2000 to 30 August 2024. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool.Study selectionA total of 11 randomized controlled trials (whole-body vibration training = 4, core-stability training = 2, strength training = 3, blood flow restriction training = 1, and aquatic training = 1) involving 552 anterior cruciate ligament surgery patients were included.Data extractionTwo researchers individually screened the key information for each eligible study and evaluated the quality of the studies. Any dispute was discussed by a third researcher.ResultsCompared with conventional therapy, exercise therapy significantly reduced pain scores (mean difference: −0.53, 95% CI: −0.82 to −0.24, and p < 0.001) and improved muscle strength (flexion: 13.76 and extension: 12.46) and knee function (effect size: 2.06 and p = 0.001). Secondary outcomes, although less pronounced, also demonstrated improvement.LimitationThe sources of heterogeneity among the included studies were not fully identified, particularly concerning variations in exercise protocols or patient characteristics. Additionally, the therapeutic effects of specific exercise modalities (e.g., strength training versus aquatic training) were not directly compared.ConclusionExercise therapy is effective in reducing pain, enhancing muscle strength, and improving knee function in ACL surgery patients. These findings underscore the importance of integrating tailored exercise therapies into rehabilitation programs.Systematic review registration numberhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier registration number. CRD42023476653.

Transmissibility of whole-body vibration to lower limb joints and its immediate impact on the center of pressure sway in elderly women

Transmissibility of whole-body vibration to lower limb joints and its immediate impact on the center of pressure sway in elderly women

Ride Quality Measurement and User Ratings: Results from Main Field Trials

Improved techniques for assessing ride quality have been developed by the authors that more closely simulate the responses of humans to whole-body vibration and vehicle ride dynamics across a broad range of vehicle classes. The new ride model aims to address some fundamental issues related to road unevenness measurements which frequently do not correlate well with subjective ratings of pavement rideability. Field trials were conducted to test the models on a total of twenty-one pavement sections covering a wide range of roughness levels. Nine vehicles were used in the main trials, two from each of four vehicle classes (motorcycles, cars, SUVs and trucks) and an extra car, and a further two cars were added from an earlier pilot trial. In total, ten test subjects were recruited with a range of driving backgrounds, each driving one of the test vehicles. The modelled ride responses were compared with measured ride vibration and user ride ratings, all were taken on the same pavement test sections. Portable vibration measuring equipment was used to record ride vibration comprising accelerometers and a data logger and incorporating GPS. Subjective ratings of ride vibration on each pavement section were obtained from test subjects during the conduct of tests.

Effects of Combined Vibration Ergometry and Botulinum Toxin on Gait Improvement in Asymmetric Lower Limb Spasticity: A Pilot Study

Objective: Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) injections and the new vibration ergometry training (VET) are studied for their combined effect on improving functional mobility in patients with asymmetric lower limb spasticity. Method: Gait was analyzed using the Infotronic® system, which measures ground reaction forces and foot contact patterns by means of special force-sensitive shoes strapped over feet or street shoes. Gait was measured several times, depending on the protocol patients underwent. Seven patients with asymmetric lower limb spasticity were analyzed according to the control protocol (CG-group): after a baseline walk of 20 m (NV-W1) patients received their routine BoNT/A injection and had to walk the same distance a second time (NV-W2). Approximately 3–5 weeks later, they had to walk a third time (NV-W3). A further seven patients (VG-group) were analyzed according to the vibration protocol: after a baseline walk (V-W1), patients underwent a first vibration training (VET1), walked a second time (V-W2), received their routine BoNT/A injection, and walked a third time (V-W3). About four weeks later, they had to walk again (V-W4), received another vibration training (VET3), and walked a fifth time (V-W5). At least six months after the analysis according to the vibration protocol, these patients were also analyzed according to the control protocol. Eleven gait parameters were compared between the CG- and VG-group, and within the VG-group. Result: Patients in the VG-group experienced a significant improvement in gait four weeks after BoNT/A injection, unlike the patients in the CG-group. VG-patients also showed improved gait after two VET sessions. However, there was no further functional improvement of gait when BoNT/A injections and VET sessions were combined. Conclusions: BoNT/A injections enhance functional mobility in patients with mild asymmetric leg spasticity. VET also induces an immediate gait improvement and offers a further treatment approach for leg spasticity. Whether combining BoNT treatment and vibration training offers superior outcomes compared to either treatment alone requires further investigation.

Exercise interventions to improve bone mineral density in athletes participating in low-impact sports: a scoping review

BackgroundAthletes participating in low-impact sports such as cycling and swimming are at increased risk for low bone mineral density, which may lead to long-term health issues. Exercise is known to increase bone mineral density, but there is little knowledge of the effects of this in athletes participating in low-impact sports. This review aims to identify potential exercise interventions that could improve bone health in these athletes.MethodsThere appears to be little research on this topic, and we addressed the research question using a scoping review to get a broad overview of the research literature. The scoping review was conducted following the methodological framework of Arksey and O´Malley. A literature search was conducted May 2024 in SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, Scopus, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cinahl, Cochrane, and Google Scholar. The Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template was used to evaluate the reporting of the exercise intervention(s).ResultsA total of 2528 studies were screened and assessed for eligibility. Five studies met the inclusion criteria reporting results of exercise interventions on bone mineral density in cyclists and swimmers. Different designs were applied, and study populations varied. Five populations were explored; one cohort of adolescent swimmers (both sexes), one cohort of female Olympic artistic swimmers, one cohort of elite road cyclists (both sexes), one cohort of male competitive amateur cyclists, and one cohort of trained to well-trained cyclists (both sexes).ConclusionThis scoping review found that resistance training, plyometric exercises, whole-body vibration, and a combined jumping exercise with collagen supplementation show promising results in improving bone mineral density in athletes participating in cycling and swimming. However, there is limited evidence due to few identified studies, with varying study designs and inconsistent exercise reporting, highlighting the need of further research to better understand how different training approaches can improve bone health in these athletes.

RIDE QUALITY MEASUREMENT AND USER RATINGS: INITIAL ASSESSMENT OF IMPROVED TECHNIQUES

Improved techniques for assessing ride quality have been developed by the authors that closely simulate actual vehicle ride dynamics and the responses of humans to whole-body vibration. Using numerical models to simulate four generic road-user vehicle classes – passenger cars, heavy commercial vehicles (trucks), off-road recreational and sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and motorcycles – fundamental issues associated with current ride quality measurements are addressed leading to more robust and accurate estimates of pavement rideability. Initial field trials and tests of the proposed ride quality model for a passenger car were conducted. To assess the effectiveness of the model as a ride quality predictor, the overall modelled ride responses were compared with actual measured ride vibrations (objective measures) and road-user ride ratings (subjective measures), all taken on the same sections of pavements. For the objective measures of ride quality portable vibration measuring equipment, comprising accelerometers, event markers and a data logger were assembled, customised and tested. In later versions of the equipment, also described in this paper, GPS tracking was incorporated to provide precise time-based recordings of location and speed. Developed specifically for this project, the equipment is small in size, completely self-contained, and is readily adapted for use in both small and large vehicles (motorcycles, cars, SUVs and trucks). The initial study found there was good agreement between the modelled responses, vibration measurements and subjective ratings. A further larger study is planned, which is discussed in this paper.

Peripheral neuropathy: from guidelines to clinical practise.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a substantial adverse effect of anticancer therapy. No effective preventive strategies are established in clinical routine, although some forms of cryotherapy or compression therapy seem to be promising. CIPN is difficult to grade objectively and has mostly relied on a clinician- or patient-based rating that is subjective and not easily reproducible. Recent preclinical and clinical studies showed an indicative hint of serum neurofilaments for axonal damage as a biomarker and might be introduced in clinical practice in the future. Axonal degeneration in toxic neuropathy is triggered by molecular pathways including SARM1. Presence of certain genotypes predispose for developing severe vincristine neuropathy. Still, treatment of CIPN is focused on treating neuropathic pain primarily based on physicians experience. A positive effect of membrane stabilizers such as gabapentinoids could not be shown in a systematic review mostly due to inconsistent study populations. In the treatment and prevention of functional disability, physical exercise including sensorimotor-training and whole-body vibration seems promising. More research is needed on quantification of biomarkers indicative for axonal degeneration prior to CIPN symptom expression. All these recent findings should support the health-care team for a patient centred treatment approach.

Unveiling whole body vibration squat intensity insight from oxygen consumption and heart rate response

This study explored the effects of training weight and amplitude in whole-body vibration (WBV) on exercise intensity, indicated by oxygen consumption (VO2) and heart rate. In LOAD-study: ten participants performed squats under non-WBV and WBV (30 Hz 2 mm) conditions at 0%, 40%, and 80% bodyweight (BW). In AMPLITUDE-study: eight participants performed squats under non-WBV, low-amplitude WBV (30 Hz 2 mm), and high-amplitude WBV (30 Hz 4 mm) conditions with 0% and 40%BW. heart rate and VO2 were continuously recorded. Metabolic equivalents (METs) for WBV squats with 0–40% BW were ~ 3.8–5.3, and ~ 7.3 for 80% BW. LOAD-study presented a significant vibration × training weight interaction effect for in-exercise VO2 (F = 3.171, P = 0.05, ηp2 = 0.105) and post-exercise VO2 (F = 4.156, P = 0.021, ηp2 = 0.133). In-exercise VO2 of 80%BW squat (P < 0.001) and post-exercise VO2 of both 40% (P = 0.049) and 80%BW squat (P < 0.001) under WBV were significantly higher than those under non-WBV. AMPLITUDE-study presented no significant amplitude × training weight interaction effect for VO2 and heart rate (P > 0.05). WBV squats are moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise. 30 Hz 2 mm WBV is sufficient for evoking superior oxygen consumption during and after exercise under certain training weight, the response of heart rate to WBV was less pronounced. Increasing training weight could elicit greater oxygen consumption and heart rate under WBV condition.

The Effect of Whole-Body Vibration on Upper Extremity Function in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Study

The Effect of Whole-Body Vibration on Upper Extremity Function in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Study

EFFECTIVENESS OF WHOLE BODY VIBRATION ON QUADRICEPS STRENGTH AND VERTICAL JUMP IN HEALTHY ATHLETES: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: whole body vibration (WBV) is currently a training method increasingly used as an adjunct in sports to improve strength performance in various sports. Being a muscle training widely used for demanding sports practices of athletes who are physically well prepared for better performances. In addition, the literature shows that physical training with aerobic and resistance exercises promotes an improvement in the regenerative capacity of the athlete. However, the literature does not present systematic review studies on the effect of WBV on muscle strength in athletes. Objective: This review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of WBV on muscle strength and vertical jump in healthy athletes. Method: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials which had used WBV compared to usual exercises in athletes of different modalities and having the assessment of muscle strength and vertical jump as outcomes. This study was conducted using PubMed/Medline, SciELO, LILACS, CINAHL and PEDro databases, without language or year restrictions. The search terms used were: ‘athletes’, ‘muscle strength’, ‘resistance training’, ‘muscle contraction’, ‘strength’, ‘clinical trial’ and ‘whole body vibration’. Risk of bias (RoB 2.0) and evidence quality (GRADE) were evaluated. Results: Three clinical trials participated in the review, which presented a varied risk of bias and low quality of evidence. The WBV program for athletes increased muscle strength; however, no effects were verified for the vertical jump height. Conclusion: The studies evaluated in this review show that training with WBV was effective in increasing muscle strength in athletes, especially when associated with other conventional training; however, no changes were observed for the vertical jump height. The studies showed a variable risk of bias and low evidence quality.

Disintegration characteristics of undisturbed loess in response to train vibration frequency

AbstractDisintegration fragments the loess body, causing erosion and the emergence of significant geohazards. The impact of vibrations on soil disintegration has been slightly documented; however, the contribution and mechanism of train vibration frequency in the disintegration of undisturbed loess remain unclear. In this study, train vibrations were monitored in situ, and the resulting vibrational parameters were used in loess disintegration tests using a customised vibration‐disintegration apparatus. The changes in the meso‐parameters of the disintegrated loess and aqueous solutions were quantified, and the microstructural differences in the residual loess after disintegration were compared under non‐vibrating and vibrating conditions. The results revealed that train vibrations in the loess progressively diminished with increasing distance from the track, with dominant vibration frequencies ranging from 17 to 49 Hz. Increasing the vibration frequency accelerated loess disintegration and enhanced the dispersion of the disintegrated fragments. Notably, the acceleration effect of disintegration was particularly pronounced in the early stages of increasing vibration frequency, and it tended to plateau above 15 Hz. The relationship between the vibration frequency and disintegration velocity (DV) of loess influenced by the initial water content can be expressed as a power function with variables. Vibrations accelerate loess disintegration primarily attributed to repetitive particle displacement and the vibrations of free water in the pores which lead to frictional damage to the weakly cemented structure and pore expansion. Higher vibration frequencies generate greater inertial forces and facilitate more frequent particle jumps, allowing the loess to reach the disintegration threshold conditions more readily than at lower frequencies. These findings provide theoretical value for the prevention and mitigation of water‐induced loess geohazards and land degradation in vibrating environments.

Anti-Obesity Effects of a Combination of Whole-Body Vibration Stimulus and Dietary D-Allulose on Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet.

Whole-body vibration (WBV) has gained attention as a light-resistance exercise and can increase energy metabolism. The rare sugar D-allulose has anti-obesity effects that are mediated by the suppression of hepatic lipogenesis. In this study, we examined the anti-obesity effects of a combination of WBV and dietary D-allulose in rats fed a high-fat diet. Thirty-two male Wistar rats (3-wk-old) were randomly assigned to four groups: sedentary control (C), WBV (V), D-allulose (A), and WBV+D-allulose (VA). Rats in Groups A and VA were fed a 5% D-allulose diet, and rats in Groups V and VA were subjected to WBV using a vibrating platform during the 8-wk experimental period. Total abdominal adipose tissue was significantly lower in Groups V, A, and VA than that in Group C, whereas no differences were observed between Groups V, A, and VA. Dietary D-allulose significantly decreased the weights and percentages of carcass and total body fats, whereas the WBV stimulus significant reduced only the total body fat mass. We observed that both long-term WBV stimulation and dietary D-allulose intake inhibited body fat accumulation in rats fed a high-fat diet, which led to obesity; however, no synergistic effect of this combination could be confirmed.

Vibration discomfort of supine human body exposed to whole-body vibration: effect of vibration direction and magnitude

Supine postures are increasingly adopted in medical transport, long-duration flights, and other healthcare environments. This study is aimed to identify the effect of vibration direction and magnitude on the objective and subjective responses of the human body in a supine posture. The transmissibilities to the head, chest, abdomen, and thighs of 12 male subjects were measured with single-axis random vibrations in longitudinal (z axis), lateral (y axis), and vertical (x axis) direction at 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 ms−2 r.m.s. Subjective discomfort was determined using the absolute magnitude estimation method. It was found factors of 1.0, 1.5 and 1.0 multiplying with the weighted r.m.s. of input accelerations in x, y, and z axes, respectively, can predict the discomfort. Alternatively, the unweighted acceleration measured at the body, such as at the chest, which was found to highly correlate with vibration discomfort, can be used to predict vibration discomfort of supine subjects.

Aerobic exercise combined with whole body vibration in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized controlled trial

Introduction: A whole-body vibration device (WBV) as an exercise option may be suitable for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aimed to compare the effects of combined aerobic exercise with WBV training and aerobic exercise alone on the liver enzymes and lipid profiles in NAFLD. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 32 patients with grade 1 and 2 NAFLD diagnosed by ultrasound. Patients were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Patients in the intervention group were subjected to WBV with a frequency of 35-50 Hz before starting aerobic exercise. Wherein, aerobic exercises were performed using a treadmill at 60%-80% of maximum heart rate. Each session included a 5-minute warm-up, 30 minutes of treadmill, and 5 minutes of cooling at the end. Subjects in the control group underwent the same protocol but did not undergo WBV. Sessions were performed three times per week. The intervention lasted for eight weeks for both groups. Liver enzymes (alkaline phosphatase [ALP], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST]), and lipid profiles (high-density lipoprotein [HDL], low-density lipoprotein [LDL], triglyceride, and cholesterol) were measured during a week before the exercises and after the trial. Results: Mean serum ALT levels (45.5 vs. 31.5; P=0.003) and triglycerides (226.7 vs. 209.3; P=0.004) levels significantly decreased in the intervention group after the intervention. Although all liver enzymes and lipid profiles serum levels except for LDL decreased significantly in both groups (P&lt;0.05), AST, ALP, cholesterol, LDL, and HDL levels showed no significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion: The present study revealed that aerobic exercises with WBV significantly reduced ALT and triglyceride levels compared to aerobic exercises alone. In conclusion, the combined method can be recommended as a more effective method for patients suffering from NAFLD.

Immediate Effects of Whole Body Vibration on Proprioception and Upper Extremity Reaction Speed in Young Adult Students.

There is limited information on the immediate effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) on the upper limb. This study aims to determine the immediate effects of WBV on reaction speed and proprioception in young adult students' upper extremities. In total, 62 students participated in the study. WBV was applied to the participants, and its immediate effects on proprioception and upper extremity reaction speed were examined. Participants' proprioception and perception of joint position at 30-60 degrees of shoulder flexion, shoulder abduction, and elbow flexion angles were measured with absolute error degrees. Reaction rates were evaluated with the Ruler-Drop Test and the mobile application SWAY. A decrease was observed in the absolute error level of the participants' joint position perception at 30-60 elbow and shoulder position degrees, measured after immediate WBV application (p <0.05). After the RDT application, a decrease in the length of catching the target was observed (p <0.05). The SWAY test determined that they moved the smartphone in a shorter time (p <0.05). Right and left RDT scores showed that the distance to catch the ruler was significantly lower in male individuals before the application. In comparison, the distance to catch the ruler was lower after the application (right/left p<0.05). The study found that applying WBV improved upper extremity proprioception perception and reaction speed in young adults. This information can guide clinicians in applying WBV to healthy individuals and those with symptoms.

STUDY OF THE DYNAMICS OF A VIBRATION MACHINE CONSIDERING THE INFLUENCE OF THE PROCESSING MEDIUM

This paper presents the results of studying the dynamics of a vibration machine, takinginto account its interaction with the processing medium based on representing the medium as a continuoussystem. The application of the complex number method significantly simplifies the formation of equations ofmotion for the discrete-continuous system, which is a computational model of the vibration system "machinemedium."The study substantiates and develops a method for considering the mutual influence of the machineand the processing medium, based on representing the medium as a continuous system. The dynamicsof the vibration system "machine-medium" is studied, and oscillation parameters are determined withoutconsidering resistance forces. It is found that the overall motion of the vibration system is described by fourcomponents. The first three describe the natural oscillations of the system, of which the first two are determinedonly by initial conditions, and the third reflects the accompanying oscillations caused by the externalforce applied to the system. The last component defines the forced oscillations following the external force'schange law. This result shows that the oscillations of the vibration system are not strictly harmonic, which isconfirmed by the provided graphs. The dynamics of the "machine-medium" vibration system, consideringresistance forces, are studied, and analytical dependencies for determining oscillation amplitudes and natural and resonant frequencies are obtained. The results of the amplitude calculations of the vibration platform forvarious heights of compacted concrete mixtures reveal the influence of the resistance coefficient and theratio of oscillation frequency to the wave propagation speed in the mixture. Analysis of the obtained graphsshows that the resistance coefficient has a different effect on the amplitude of oscillations for different heightsof the compacting mixture. Certain mixture height zones of the vibration system "machine-medium" operatein a near-resonant mode. A significant influence on the amplitude is exerted by the wave propagation speed,which is included in the analytical formulas for determining the numerical values of the coefficients accountingfor reactive and active components of resistance.

Diagnosis, Pathophysiology and Management of Microvascular Dysfunction in Diabetes Mellitus.

Microcirculation is an essential system that regulates oxygen and nutrients to cells and tissues in response to various environmental stimuli and pathophysiological conditions. Diabetes mellitus can cause microvascular complications including nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy. The pathogenesis of microvascular dysfunction in diabetes is associated with hyperglycemia and the result of an interplay of various factors. Research studies have demonstrated that functional microvascular dysfunction appears much earlier than structural alterations in vasculature in diabetes. This finding of the progression from microvascular dysfunction to macrovascular disease establishes a foundation for the screening and early diagnosis of diabetes by assessing the microvascular function. This comprehensive review discusses technologies (laser Doppler, transcutaneous oximetry, infrared thermography and near-infrared spectroscopy) with computational methods (linear (time and frequency domains), nonlinear and machine learning approaches) for diagnosing microvascular dysfunction in diabetes. Pathophysiological changes of microvascular dysfunction leading to impaired vasomotion and blood flow oscillations in diabetes are reviewed. Recent findings in managing microvascular dysfunction using lifestyle modifications and force-based modulations are evaluated. A consensus endorsed by the American Diabetes Association has been reached that an effective exercise program would greatly slow down the progression of microvascular dysfunction and its impact on diabetic foot ulcers, muscle fatigue and weakness and peripheral neuropathy. However, it is imperative to determine the dose-response relationship of exercise and microvascular responses in patients with diabetes. Research studies have demonstrated that local vibration and whole-body vibration can improve microcirculation in various pathological conditions, including diabetes. Due to the complex nature of microvascular regulation, various computational methods have been developed to shed light on the influence of diabetes on microvascular dysfunction. This comprehensive review will contribute to the diagnosis and management of microvascular dysfunction in diabetes.

Whole body vibration technique in rehabilitation of children with cystic fibrosis

BACKGROUND: Cystic fibrosis (or mucoviscidosis) is a severe genetic disease, which leads to disability and requires a permanent rehabilitation treatment aimed at improving the pulmonary function lung and the effort tolerance starting from childhood. The whole-body vibration (WBV) technique can potentially improve the effort tolerance and quality of life in patients with cystic fibrosis. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the WBV technique in improving the effort tolerance in patients with cystic fibrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Randomized controlled study enrolling 60 patients with pulmonary or mixed form of cystic fibrosis aged 8 to 17 years. Patients were randomized into three groups: the patients in the experimental Group 1 received a course of conventional kinesiotherapy combined with the WBV; in the experimental Group 2, the course of conventional kinesiotherapy combined with the WBV was enhanced with the aerobic exercises on an exercise bike; and the comparison group patients received only conventional kinesiotherapy. The study duration was consistent with the hospital stay time (12 days); the patients received a rehabilitation course of 10 exercises. The primary endpoint was the increased walking distance in the six-minute walk test. The methods of evaluation involved the pre-/post-treatment six-minute walk test results and the PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scales quality of life scores. RESULTS: The comparative analysis results demonstrate the statistically significantly increased six-minute walk test distance in the experimental Groups 1 and 2, which evidences the efficacy of the WBV technique aimed at improving the effort tolerance in patients with cystic fibrosis. The group that received kinesiotherapy combined with the WBV and aerobic exercises showed a more pronounced effect. In the comparison group, the six-minute walk test results did not significantly change. Based on the study results, no statistically significant change of the quality of life occurred in any group. CONCLUSION: Integrating the WBV into the individual rehabilitation programs for patients with cystic fibrosis can improve the effort tolerance. This technique can be used both combined with the aerobic exercises, and as an alternative training method, if a patient cannot perform aerobic exercises due to the severity of his or her condition or for epidemiological indications.

Plantar sensory stimulation and its impact on gait and lower limb motor function in individuals with stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Stroke frequently leads to motor impairments, with almost half of the affected individuals experiencing diminished sensation, impacting their overall quality of life and autonomy. Rehabilitation efforts, however, often overlook somatosensory functions of the lower limbs. While plantar sensory stimulation activates receptors in the foot sole, its precise impact on the motor functions and gait of individuals with stroke is yet to be ascertained. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine the effects of sensory interventions on gait and lower limb motor function in individuals with stroke. We searched eight databases from inception to December 2023 for randomized controlled trials that investigated sensory interventions targeting gait or lower limb motor function in stroke patients. The primary outcomes included changes in gait and motor function, reported as standardized mean differences (SMD) and assessed heterogeneity (I2). A total of [number] studies were included, covering different sensory modalities such as textured insoles, plantar vibration, and cognitive sensorimotor exercises. The interventions showed varying effectiveness, with plantar vibration therapy exhibiting a large effect size (SMD = 2.03 [1.13, 2.94]) for improving lower limb motor function, while textured insoles showed moderate effectiveness (SMD = 0.58 [0.24, 0.92]) with no heterogeneity (I2 = 0%). For gait, significant enhancement was seen with plantar vibration (SMD = 3.17 [2.05, 4.29]) and cognitive sensorimotor training (SMD = 2.85 [1.69, 4.02]). However, overall heterogeneity was moderate to high (I2 = 65% for motor function, 85% for gait), indicating variability across different studies and intervention types. The findings of this review and meta-analysis suggest that plantar somatosensory stimulation has the potential to improve lower limb motor function and gait in people with stroke. However, to firmly establish its efficacy as a rehabilitative tool, larger-scale and high-quality studies are requisite.

The effects and possible mechanisms of whole-body vibration on cognitive function: A narrative review.

Whole-body vibration (WBV) is a physical stimulation method that transmits mechanical oscillations to the entire body through a vibration platform or device. Biokinetic and epidemiologic studies have shown that prolonged exposure to high-intensity WBV increases health risks, primarily to the lumbar spine and the nervous system connected to it. There is currently insufficient evidence to demonstrate a quantitative relationship between vibration exposure and risk of health effects. The positive effects of WBV on increasing muscle strength and improving balance and flexibility are well known, but its effects on cognitive function are more complex, with mixed findings, largely related to vibration conditions, including frequency, amplitude, and duration. Studies have shown that short-term low-frequency WBV may have a positive impact on cognitive function, demonstrates potential rehabilitation benefits in enhancing learning and memory, possibly by promoting neuromuscular coordination and enhancing neural plasticity. However, long term exposure to vibration may lead to chronic stress in nerve tissue, affecting nerve conduction efficiency and potentially interfering with neuroprotective mechanisms, thereby having a negative impact on cognitive ability, even causes symptoms such as cognitive decline, mental fatigue, decreased attention, and drowsiness. This literature review aimed to explore the effects of WBV on cognitive function and further to analyze the possible mechanisms. Based on the analysis of literatures, we came to the conclusion that the impact of WBV on cognitive function depends mainly on the frequency and duration of vibration, short-term low-frequency WBV may have a positive impact on cognitive function, while long term exposure to WBV may lead to cognitive decline, and the mechanisms may be involved in neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, synaptic plasticity, and neurotransmitter changes. This review may provide some theoretical foundations and guidance for the prevention and treatment of WBV induced cognitive impairment.