One of the causes of disability in patients suffering from a stroke is postural imbalance. Sensory stimulation improves the postural symmetry of the subject transitorily and they are thought to have an effect on the spatial frame of reference through a sensory recalibration. Studies have shown that sensory stimulation by vibration of neck muscles have an immediate effect on static balance and when walking. The objective of this preliminary study is to test the long-lasting effects of repetitive neck muscle vibrations on postural disturbances in standing position and on spatial frame reference in chronic patients.
The hypothesis of this study is that the proprioceptive repeated stimulation by vibration of neck muscles in the long term improved postural asymmetry in connection with the egocentric representation of body disorders. The effect of vibration simultaneously on improving postural asymmetry and on improving markers of the perception of the body in space (LBA, SSA, Subjective Visual Vertical (SVV), Rod and frame) will be assessed.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
39
The patients will undergo a program of 10 sessions of vibrations of the neck muscle, each of 10 minutes, during a period of 15 days at the rate of one session per day.
CHU Rennes - Pontchaillou Hospital
Rennes, Brittany Region, France
Changes from baseline Weight Bearing Asymmetry at Day 15
The primary evaluation criteria is the percentage of the Weight Bearing Asymmetry on the hemiparetic lower limb (WBA) calculated as the mean of 4 trys, each based on a 30 seconds duration with the two eyes open (OP) and then again with the two eyes closed. This evaluation is realized on a force platform.
Time frame: Before and after the intervention program (Day 15)
Haptic and visual Subjective Straight Ahead (SSA) test
The effect on spatial reference frame evaluated by haptic and visual Subjective Straight Ahead (SSA) test
Time frame: 7 days and 15 days after the start of the intervention
Subjective Visual Vertical (SVV) test
The effect on spatial reference frame is evaluated by Subjective Visual Vertical (SVV) test
Time frame: 7 days and 15 days after the start of the intervention
Evaluation of Longitudinal Body Axis (LBA)
The effect on spatial reference frame is evaluated on Longitudinal Body Axis (LBA)
Time frame: 7 days and 15 days after the start of the intervention
Rod and Frame Test
The effect on spatial reference frame is evaluated by the Rod and Frame Test
Time frame: 7 days and 15 days after the start of the intervention
Change from baseline of patients' motor skills
Assessment of motor skills with simple motor tasks
Time frame: 1 month after the end of the program
Change from baseline of patients' sensitivity
Assessment of superficial tact on the hemiplegic lower limb compared to the safe limb
Time frame: 1 month after the end of the program
Change from baseline of patients' spasticity
Assessment of spasticity with Ashworth Modified scale
Time frame: 1 month after the end of the program
Change from baseline of patients' functional capacity
Functional capacity is a composite index made of sensitivity test, motor scale and spasticity scale
Time frame: 1 month after the end of the program
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