Effects of rebound exercises on balance and mobility of people with neurological disorders: A systematic review

PLoS ONE, 2023 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0292312 · Published: October 5, 2023

Simple Explanation

This study reviews the effects of rebound exercise (bouncing on a mini-trampoline) on people with neurological disorders. Neurological disorders often cause movement and balance problems, making exercise difficult. Rebound exercise has been gaining popularity, but its effects on people with neurological disorders were not well understood. This review looks at studies that have examined the impact of rebound exercise on balance and mobility in this population. The review found that rebound exercise can improve mobility (walking ability) in people with neurological disorders. However, it did not find significant improvements in balance. More research is needed to confirm these findings and to see if rebound exercise is helpful in real-world settings.

Study Duration

3 to 12 weeks

Participants

130 adults with neurological disorders including stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Key Findings

1
Rebound exercise significantly improves mobility in people with neurological disorders. Participants in the rebound group walked quicker by an average of 6.08 seconds.
2
Meta-analysis showed that rebound exercise did not significantly improve balance in people with neurological disorders compared to standard physiotherapy intervention.
3
The review suggests that rebound exercise could improve walking time in adults with neurological disorders within the hospital setting.

Research Summary

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effects of rebound exercise on balance and mobility in individuals with neurological disorders. Five studies were included in the review, and three were eligible for meta-analysis. The results showed that rebound exercise significantly improved mobility, as measured by the Timed Up and Go test, but did not significantly improve balance compared to standard physiotherapy intervention. The authors conclude that rebound exercise has the potential to improve mobility in neurological patients within a hospital setting, but further research is needed to determine its feasibility and effectiveness in community neurorehabilitation.

Practical Implications

Clinical Practice

Rebound exercise can be considered as an adjunct therapy to improve mobility in neurological patients within hospital settings.

Further Research

Further robust trials are needed to determine its feasibility and effectiveness in contexts other than the hospital before recommendations can be made for its use in community neurorehabilitation.

Patient-centered care

Future studies should also consider looking into the participants’ views, experiences, and acceptability of rebound exercises.

Study Limitations

1
The included studies are few.
2
The studies included in the review had varying intervention durations and outcome measures.
3
The review lacks specificity of the neurological disorders studied.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Neurorehabilitation