AbstractsMedical & Health Science

The effects on strength, balance and mobility when combining whole body vibration and traditional rehabilitation for stroke patients

by Brittany Joanne Becker




Institution: University of Windsor
Department: Kinesiology
Degree: M.H.K.
Year: 2015
Keywords: Stroke; Traditional rehabilitation; Whole-body vibration
Record ID: 2059732
Full text PDF: http://scholar.uwindsor.ca/etd/5266


http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/thesescanada/vol2/OWA/TC-OWA-5256.pdf


http://scholar.uwindsor.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=6265&context=etd


Abstract

Whole-body vibration (WBV) training is a viable option for stroke rehabilitation in improving balance, mobility and muscle strength, with a major focus to date on the lower body. This study evaluated the effectiveness of WBV training on stroke survivor's to include upper body and lower body strength, balance and mobility. 11 stroke survivors were recruited from the outpatient rehabilitation department of HDGH and were put into the WBV training group, training twice a week for 8 weeks. Participants were assessed at baseline (T1), after 8 sessions (T2), and after 16 sessions (T3). 12 participants from a database at HDGH acted as the control group and were assessed at the beginning of outpatient rehabilitation (T1) and upon discharge (T3). There were significant improvements for both the WBV training and control groups BBS and 6-minute walk. The WBV training group also experienced significant improvements on upper-extremity strength.