Comparison of the immediate effects of plantar vibration of both feet with the plantar vibration of the affected foot on balance in patients with stroke: Preliminary findings

Objective: Plantar vibration is one of the strategies to enhance balance in stroke patients. This study compared the effects of the plantar vibration of both feet and the plantar vibration of the most affected side in patients with stroke. Methods: This study was a single-blind clinical trial. Post-stroke patients with balance impairment were enrolled in the study and underwent two treatment sessions with a one-week interval. They received both feet's plantar vibration in one session and plantar vibration of the most affected side in the other session (frequency 100 Hz, 5 min). Mini-BESTest, Modified Modified Ashworth Scale (MMAS), and Semmes-Weinstein monofilament examination (SWME) were used to evaluate balance, spasticity, and plantar sensation, before and after the treatment sessions. Results: Ten patients with a mean age of 52.9 (SD = 5.48) years were enrolled in the study. Mini-BESTest scores of balance and plantar flexor muscle spasticity were significantly improved after both feet plantar vibration and plantar vibration of the more affected side. There was no significant difference between the effectiveness of both sides plantar vibration and the most affected side plantar vibration. There were no significant improvements in SWME sensory scores after plantar vibration of either both sides or the most affected side. Conclusion: Plantar vibration of both sides had no additional benefits in this group of patients with chronic stroke. Plantar vibration of more affected side can be used for improving balance and plantar flexor spasticity poststroke. The Plantar vibration had no effects on the affected foot sensibility.