Unilateral vibration stimulation decreases F-wave persistence and F/M amplitude ratio in contralateral homonymous muscle corresponding to the stimulated muscle during stimulation.
Kenta Kunoh, Takahiro Takenaka, Daisuke Kimura and 1 others
PMID 38694006WHAT IT FOUND
Fifteen seconds of vibration applied with 400 g pressure to the left thumb muscle lowered an electrical measure of spinal excitability in the right thumb muscle in 14 healthy adults.
It did not test spasticity, pain, strength, or function.
Key findings
01In the vibration condition, the F/M amplitude ratio decreased from 1.4% ± 0.5% to 0.9% ± 0.3% (p=0.001, r=−0.89).
02In the vibration condition, F-wave persistence decreased from 53.2% ± 12.7% to 43.9% ± 12.3% (p=0.016, r=−0.64).
03Pressure stimulation and rest did not significantly change the F/M amplitude ratio or F-wave persistence.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
Only 14 healthy adults were tested, so the result does not show what happens in people with spasticity after stroke or other conditions. The outcomes were electrical spinal excitability measures, not clinical muscle tone, movement, pain, strength, or daily function. The effect was measured only during 15 seconds of stimulation, and the study did not test whether it lasts after stimulation. The vibration settings used were not the same as commonly used rehabilitation vibration devices, so it is unclear how they would apply in clinic. The vibration condition combined vibration with pressure, frequency, amplitude, and duration settings, so the study does not isolate which component produced the change.
Declared interests
The authors declared that there are no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that vibration reduces spasticity or improves hand function in patients. The study tested only an electrical measure of spinal excitability in 14 healthy adults during 15 seconds of stimulation.