Upper extremity function and disability recovery with vibration therapy after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs

Abstract Background This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of vibration therapy for improving upper extremity motor impairment, function, and disability recovery in people with stroke. Design We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelin...

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Main Authors: Yueh-Hsun Lu, Hung-Ju Chen, Chun-De Liao, Po-Jung Chen, Xin-Miao Wang, Chieh-Hsiang Yu, Po-Yin Chen, Chueh-Ho Lin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-12-01
Series:Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-024-01515-6
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author Yueh-Hsun Lu
Hung-Ju Chen
Chun-De Liao
Po-Jung Chen
Xin-Miao Wang
Chieh-Hsiang Yu
Po-Yin Chen
Chueh-Ho Lin
author_facet Yueh-Hsun Lu
Hung-Ju Chen
Chun-De Liao
Po-Jung Chen
Xin-Miao Wang
Chieh-Hsiang Yu
Po-Yin Chen
Chueh-Ho Lin
author_sort Yueh-Hsun Lu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of vibration therapy for improving upper extremity motor impairment, function, and disability recovery in people with stroke. Design We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library Database, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database, and Google Scholar were searched from inception to May 31, 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effects of vibration therapy on upper extremity motor impairment, function, and disability recovery post-stroke were analyzed. Setting and participants Participants with a diagnosis of stroke with hemiplegia (or hemiparesis) were recruited. Methods Methodological quality assessment was performed using the PEDro quality score. Upper extremity motor impairment, function, and disability were the primary outcomes. Upper extremity motor impairment was measured using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment scale and other methods. Upper extremity functions were evaluated using the Wolf Motor Function test or other tools assessing manipulative activities. Disability was assessed using the Functional Independence Measure, Barthel index, and other methods. Results Overall, 30 RCTs including 1621 people with stroke were selected. Compared with the control, vibration therapy exerted significant effects on upper extremity motor impairment [standardized mean difference (SMD) = 1.19; p < 0.00001)], function (SMD = 0.62; p < 0.00001), and disability recovery (SMD = 1.01; p < 0.00001). The subgroup analysis revealed that focal vibration therapy (SMD = 2.14) had favorable effects on disability recovery compared with whole-body vibration therapy (SMD = 2.0). Interventions lasting 4–8 weeks showed significant improvements in motor impairment (SMD = 1.19), motor function (SMD = 0.57), and disability (SMD = 0.84); additionally, the effects of vibration therapy combined with conventional rehabilitation (SMD = 1.03) were superior to those of vibration therapy alone (SMD = 0.21). Conclusions Vibration therapy may be a reliable rehabilitation program to improve upper extremity motor functions and disabilities. Furthermore, vibration therapy should be performed at the earliest possibility after stroke for at least 4–8 weeks. Trial registration The protocol of this study was registered with PROSPERO (Registration number: CRD42022301119).
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spelling doaj-art-ba3281a75c63473d876a3648a93aa7c52025-08-20T02:39:55ZengBMCJournal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation1743-00032024-12-0121111510.1186/s12984-024-01515-6Upper extremity function and disability recovery with vibration therapy after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTsYueh-Hsun Lu0Hung-Ju Chen1Chun-De Liao2Po-Jung Chen3Xin-Miao Wang4Chieh-Hsiang Yu5Po-Yin Chen6Chueh-Ho Lin7Department of Radiology, Shuang-Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical UniversityNational Center for Geriatrics and Welfare Research, National Health Research InstitutesDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical UniversityNational Center for Geriatrics and Welfare Research, National Health Research InstitutesSchool of Health Management, College of Health Management, Shanghai Jianqiao UniversityMaster Program in Long-Term Care, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical UniversityDepartment of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung UniversityNational Center for Geriatrics and Welfare Research, National Health Research InstitutesAbstract Background This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of vibration therapy for improving upper extremity motor impairment, function, and disability recovery in people with stroke. Design We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library Database, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database, and Google Scholar were searched from inception to May 31, 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effects of vibration therapy on upper extremity motor impairment, function, and disability recovery post-stroke were analyzed. Setting and participants Participants with a diagnosis of stroke with hemiplegia (or hemiparesis) were recruited. Methods Methodological quality assessment was performed using the PEDro quality score. Upper extremity motor impairment, function, and disability were the primary outcomes. Upper extremity motor impairment was measured using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment scale and other methods. Upper extremity functions were evaluated using the Wolf Motor Function test or other tools assessing manipulative activities. Disability was assessed using the Functional Independence Measure, Barthel index, and other methods. Results Overall, 30 RCTs including 1621 people with stroke were selected. Compared with the control, vibration therapy exerted significant effects on upper extremity motor impairment [standardized mean difference (SMD) = 1.19; p < 0.00001)], function (SMD = 0.62; p < 0.00001), and disability recovery (SMD = 1.01; p < 0.00001). The subgroup analysis revealed that focal vibration therapy (SMD = 2.14) had favorable effects on disability recovery compared with whole-body vibration therapy (SMD = 2.0). Interventions lasting 4–8 weeks showed significant improvements in motor impairment (SMD = 1.19), motor function (SMD = 0.57), and disability (SMD = 0.84); additionally, the effects of vibration therapy combined with conventional rehabilitation (SMD = 1.03) were superior to those of vibration therapy alone (SMD = 0.21). Conclusions Vibration therapy may be a reliable rehabilitation program to improve upper extremity motor functions and disabilities. Furthermore, vibration therapy should be performed at the earliest possibility after stroke for at least 4–8 weeks. Trial registration The protocol of this study was registered with PROSPERO (Registration number: CRD42022301119).https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-024-01515-6StrokeUpper extremityQuality of lifeVibration therapyMotor functionDisability
spellingShingle Yueh-Hsun Lu
Hung-Ju Chen
Chun-De Liao
Po-Jung Chen
Xin-Miao Wang
Chieh-Hsiang Yu
Po-Yin Chen
Chueh-Ho Lin
Upper extremity function and disability recovery with vibration therapy after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs
Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation
Stroke
Upper extremity
Quality of life
Vibration therapy
Motor function
Disability
title Upper extremity function and disability recovery with vibration therapy after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs
title_full Upper extremity function and disability recovery with vibration therapy after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs
title_fullStr Upper extremity function and disability recovery with vibration therapy after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs
title_full_unstemmed Upper extremity function and disability recovery with vibration therapy after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs
title_short Upper extremity function and disability recovery with vibration therapy after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs
title_sort upper extremity function and disability recovery with vibration therapy after stroke a systematic review and meta analysis of rcts
topic Stroke
Upper extremity
Quality of life
Vibration therapy
Motor function
Disability
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-024-01515-6
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