Article

Muscle vibration modifies corticomotor excitability in healthy
subjects and reduces muscle tonus in stroke patients. This study
examined whether repeated muscle vibration (rMV) applied over the flexor carpi
radialis (FCR) and biceps brachii (BB) can induce long-lasting changes, using
transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), in patients with chronic stroke.
METHODS: Thirty hemiparetic patients who offered at least minimal wrist and elbow
isometric voluntary contractions were randomly assigned to either an experimental
group, which received rMV in addition to physiotherapy (rMV + PT), or a control
group that underwent PT alone. The following parameters of the FCR, BB, and
extensor digitorum communis (EDC) were measured through TMS before, and 1 hour, 1
week, and 2 weeks after the end of intervention: resting motor threshold (RMT),
map area, map volume, short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), and
intracortical facilitation (ICF). Muscle tonus and motor function were assessed
on the same day as TMS. RESULTS: Pre-post analysis revealed a reduction in RMT
and an increase in motor map areas occurred in the vibrated muscles only in the
rMV + PT group, with an increase in map volumes of all muscles. Moreover, SICI
increased in the flexors and decreased in the extensor. These neurophysiological
changes lasted for at least 2 weeks after the end of rMV + PT and paralleled the
reduction in spasticity and increase in motor function. A significant correlation
was found between the degree of spasticity and the amount of intracortical
inhibition. CONCLUSION: rMV with PT may be used as a nonpharmacological
intervention in the neurorehabilitation of mild to moderate hemiparesis.

Langue : ANGLAIS