Effects of active vibration exercise using a Flexi-Bar on balance and gait in patients with chronic stroke.
Dong-Kyu Lee, Ji-Won Han
PMID 29950774WHAT IT FOUND
In chronic stroke patients who could already walk independently, active Flexi-Bar vibration exercise improved balance and walking speed compared with usual activity.
The study was small and short, so it cannot show that this routine works for all patients after stroke.
Key findings
01In the Flexi-Bar group, the Berg Balance Scale score was 42.0 before and 45.2 after 4 weeks, and the Functional Reach Test distance was 18.4 cm before and 22.2 cm after.
02In the Flexi-Bar group, the 10-Meter Walk Test time was 16.4 seconds before and 11.8 seconds after, and the Timed Up and Go Test time was 23.4 seconds before and 19.2 seconds after.
03The changes in BBS, FRT, 10MWT and TUGT in the experimental group were significantly different from the control group changes (p<0.05).
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
Only 22 patients were included. The intervention lasted only 4 weeks. There was no follow-up after the study ended. All participants could already walk independently and had Mini Mental Status Examination scores of at least 24.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflict of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that a Flexi-Bar routine improves balance and gait for all patients after stroke. The study was small, lasted only a short time, and enrolled only patients who could already walk independently and had adequate cognition.