Whole-body vibration improves walking function in individuals with spinal cord injury: a pilot study

Gait & Posture, 2009 · DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2009.06.016 · Published: November 1, 2009

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Biomechanics

Simple Explanation

This study investigates whether whole-body vibration (WBV) can improve walking in people with spinal cord injuries. Seventeen individuals with spinal cord injury participated in 12 sessions of WBV over 4 weeks, and their walking ability was tested before and after the intervention. The study found that WBV was associated with statistically significant increases in walking speed, cadence, and step length in both legs, as well as improved intralimb coordination.

Study Duration

4 weeks

Participants

17 individuals with chronic (≥ 1 year), motor-incomplete SCI

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Walking speed increased significantly after the WBV intervention.
2
The WBV intervention was associated with statistically significant increases in cadence and step length of both legs.
3
The consistency of hip angle-to-knee angle intralimb coordination also improved significantly.

Research Summary

This study examined the effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) on walking function in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Seventeen individuals with chronic, motor-incomplete SCI participated in a 12-session WBV intervention, and their walking function was assessed before and after the intervention. The results showed statistically significant improvements in walking speed, cadence, step length, and intralimb coordination, suggesting that WBV may be a useful intervention to improve walking function in individuals with SCI.

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Strategy

WBV may be a useful intervention to improve walking function in individuals with SCI.

Further Research

Future studies should assess the persistence of effects of WBV through follow-up testing performed some time after the final intervention.

Clinical Practice

These results provide preliminary support for the use of WBV as an intervention to improve walking function in individuals with SCI, with changes that appear to be comparable to those achieved with some forms of locomotor training.

Study Limitations

1
Lack of a control group
2
Inclusion of individuals with varying degrees of walking ability
3
The fact that it was not possible to blind subjects to the intervention limits the conclusions that can be drawn from these findings

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