The effect of a whole-body vibration therapy on the sitting balance of subacute stroke patients: a randomized controlled trial

Background: The use of a whole-body vibration (WBV) therapy has recently been applied and investigated as a rehabilitation method for subacute stroke patients. Objective: To evaluate the effects of a WBV therapy on recovery of balance in subacute stroke patients who were unable to gain sitting balance. Methods: The conventional rehabilitation group (CG) received conventional physical therapy, including sitting balance training by a physical therapist, for 30min a one session, for twice a day for five days a week for two weeks. The whole-body vibration group (VG) received one session of conventional physical therapy, and received WBV therapy instead of conventional physical therapy for 30min a day for five days a week for two weeks. Results: There were 15 patients in the CG and 15 patients in the VG who completed the two-week therapy. After the two-week therapy, both groups showed functional improvement. Patients in the VG improved functional ambulation categories, Berg balance scale, trunk impairment scale scores. But, no statistically significant correlations between the therapeutic methods and outcomes were observed in either group. Conclusion: Our results suggest that WBV therapy led to improvement of the recovery in balance recovery for subacute stroke patients. Because the WBV therapy was as effective as conventional physical therapy, we can consider a WBV therapy as a clinical method to improve the sitting balance of subacute stoke patients.