Anti-spastic effects of the direct application of vibratory stimuli to the spastic muscles of hemiplegic limbs in post-stroke patients: a proof-of-principle study.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether the direct application of vibratory stimuli inhibits spasticity in the hemiplegic upper limbs of post-stroke patients.

DESIGN

A randomized controlled study.

SUBJECTS

Thirty-six post-stroke patients.

METHODS

Patients were randomly allocated to the "Rest group", "Stretch group", or "Direct application of vibratory stimuli group". After relaxing in a supine posture for 30 min, subjects received the interventions for 5 min. The Modified Ashworth Scale scores and F-wave parameters were recorded before, immediately after and 30 min after each intervention.

RESULTS

The Rest group showed no significant changes in F-wave parameters and Modified Ashworth Scale scores. The Stretch group showed a tendency to decrease in F-wave amplitude and F/M ratio immediately after the intervention, but not 30 min later. The Direct application of vibratory stimuli group showed significant improvements in F-wave parameters and Modified Ashworth Scale scores immediately after the intervention, which remained 30 minutes later. The changes in F-wave parameters and Modified Ashworth Scale scores observed in the Direct application of vibratory stimuli group significantly differed from those in the Rest group and the Stretch group.

CONCLUSION

The direct application of vibratory stimuli has anti-spastic effects in the hemiplegic upper limbs of post-stroke patients.