AAPMR, 2001;

Motor rehabilitation of spinal cord dysfunction by means of whole body vibration

Year: 2001

Gianutsos JG, Oakes LC, Siasoco V, Appelblatt S, Hamel J, Gold JT

Abstract

Objective:
To explore (1) the efficacy of whole body vibration (WBV) in inducing reflex standing and, specifically, (2) the progress of persons with spinal cord dysfunction of 3 differing etiologies.

Design:
Case series. Setting: Rehabilitation center in a metropolitan area. Patients: Persons with spinal paralysis of various etiology who were otherwise unable to stand without the use of long-leg braces locked at the knee. Case 1: a 21-year- old man who underwent laminectomy at
T2–9 for resection of an intramedullary tumor. Case 2: a 12-year-old boy presented with quadriplegia secondary to transverse myelitis. Case 3: a 24-yearold man with C5 American Spinal Injury Association class A tetraplegia for 5 years secondary to a fall. Interventions: WBV to produce rapid, mechanically delivered repetitive stretches to the lower extremities, thereby resulting in involuntary muscle contraction. Main Outcome Measures: Standing time with
and without WBV, degree of volitional movement, trunk, and body control, ability to transfer, and carry over to voluntary standing and walking. Results: All 3 patients were able to stand with minimal assistance and to increase progressively the length of standing time. Eventually, 2 were able to walk independently using various ambulatory aids. Conclusions: WBV represents a promising modality for use in the rehabilitation of persons with motor dysfunction
of spinal origin. In our sample, WBV successfully induced reflex standing in all 3 patients and standing was followed by ambulation in 2 cases.

Keywords: back
GID: 372; Last update: 10.12.2007