Focal Muscle Vibration and Progressive Modular Rebalancing with neurokinetic facilitations in post- stroke recovery of upper limb.

BACKGROUND Stroke is one of the leading causes for disability worldwide. Exercise therapy is a key element of stroke rehabilitation but no evidence are present in literature. Moreover recently focal muscle vibrationis described as a useful therapeutic approach in the post stroke recovery. In this study the efficacy of the vibration therapy in association to progressive modular re balancing rehabilitative approach has been evaluated and compared to the conventional therapy alone and associated to the muscle vibration. METHODS A pilot randomized controlled trial, using a pragmatic triple-blind, parallel-group study design in chronic stroke patients upper limb function. RESULTS Functional outcomes resulted increased in the group treated with vibration therapy and in particular in the group associated to progressive modular rebalancing approach. CONCLUSION The combining neurophysiologically-based rehabilitative technique and vibration therapy may improve functional recovery in chronic stroke patients.