Utilization of whole body vibration in therapy of patients with neurological disorders

The main goal of our pilot study was to use whole body vibration in a group of randomly selected patients with various neurological disorders and to investigate its influence on the quality of patients´ locomotion. Short-time effect was analyzed comparing individual changes in gait kinematics. 17 subjects participated in the study including children and elderly patients. The gait parameters were measured before and after 10 minutes whole body vibration exposure. Amplitude of applied vertical vibrations was 2mm with frequency of 30Hz and the training was realized in standing position. Anatomical joint angles and spatiotemporal parameters obtained before and after training were analyzed and the changes indicated positive effects of whole body vibration. Considering right and left side the gait parameters were more symmetric and depending on the severity of patient´s disease these changes were more or less significant. The improvements in gait kinematics after whole body vibration convinced us that this technique can be carefully used in patients´ therapy and it may be used together with individually planed rehabilitation processes to bring more satisfying results.