Effects of whole body vibration training at different vibration frequencies on balance and gait in stroke patients: a meta-analysis
10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2026.00.004
- VernacularTitle:不同振动频率的全身振动训练对脑卒中患者平衡和步行功能影响的Meta分析
- Author:
Furong CHE
1
;
Yi PAN
1
;
Senjie QI
1
;
Xiaoni WEN
2
Author Information
1. Graduate Department, Xi'an Physical Education University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710068, China
2. School of Sports and Health Sciences, Xi'an Physical Education University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710068, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
stroke;
whole body vibration training;
vibration frequency;
postural balance;
gait;
meta-analysis
- From:
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice
2026;32(10):1143-1153
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the effect of whole body vibration training (WBV) at different vibration frequencies on balance and walking function in individuals with stroke. MethodsRandomized controlled trials (RCT) about the effect of WBV on post-stroke balance and walking function were retrieved from CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Data, CBM, PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases from inception to April, 2026. Outcome measures included Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Functional Ambulation Category (FAC), and Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT). The methodological quality of the included studies was appraised using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and the PEDro scale. Meta-analysis was performed using Stata 18.0. ResultsA total of 22 RCT comprising 1 335 stroke patients were included, with PEDro scores ranging from five to nine. Meta-analysis demonstrated that compared with control interventions, WBV significantly improved BBS scores (WMD = 4.761, 95%CI 3.220 to 6.302, P < 0.001) and FAC scores (WMD = 0.537, 95%CI 0.239 to 0.835, P < 0.001), and significantly reduced the time of TUGT (WMD = -2.329, 95%CI -3.889 to -0.769, P = 0.003). Subgroup analyses revealed that low-frequency WBV (≤ 20 Hz) produced significant improvement in both balance and walking function relative to controls, whereas high-frequency WBV (> 20 Hz) did not reach statistical significance. Low-frequency WBV intervention was superior to high-frequency WBV in FAC scores (Q = 8.070, P = 0.005), whereas no statistically significant difference was observed between the low- and high-frequency subgroups in BBS and TUGT (P > 0.05). Meta-regression suggested that vibration frequency was not the primary source of heterogeneity; rather, the total number of training sessions and time since stroke might be potential influencing factors. Adverse events were mild and occurred exclusively in the high-frequency group. ConclusionWBV can effectively improve post-stroke balance and walking function. Based on the limited available evidence, low-frequency WBV (≤ 20 Hz) is super to high-frequency WBV in both efficacy and safety. In addition, attention should be paid to the cumulative effect of total training volume, and the timing of intervention should be tailored to the patient's disease duration.
