Case Report: Targeted plasticity in spinal cord injury—the role of focal muscle vibration and neurocognitive rehabilitation in adaptative synaptic change along sensory and motor circuit

This case report explores how repeated focal muscle vibration (fMV) combined with neurocognitive exercises impacts a patient with spastic paraparesis. The study tracked changes in gait, spasticity, and pain levels following a 30-day treatment period involving fMV on lower limb muscles. The patient underwent 30 sessions of fMV, each lasting 80 minutes, targeting muscles in the lower limbs. Gait analysis and clinical scales were used to assess improvements in walking ability, muscle spasticity, and pain levels before and after the treatment. The results indicated improvements in gait parameters, reduced spasticity, and decreased pain. These improvements suggest that fMV, when combined with physiotherapy, can be a valuable approach in neurological rehabilitation for patients with spinal cord injuries.

• 1
  The patient showed an overall improvement in assessment scales after treatment, indicating reduced spasticity and pain.
• 2
  Gait analysis revealed a reduction in stride time, an increase in average walking speed, increased cadence, and a slight increase in step length.
• 3
  Electromyography showed a significant reduction in abnormal muscle activation and improved coordination between muscles in the lower limbs.