Effects of Planter Vibrator versus Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation (TENS) on Balance Dysfunction in Patient with Stroke

To compare the effect of planter vibrator versus Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on life independence.

Two arms Parallel group randomized trial

The study setting was the District medical and Rehabilitation complex charsadda and Shifa Rehab and Research Center Peshawar. It was the single-blinded and Only the researcher doing the study knows which treatment or intervention the participant is receiving.

Inclusion criteria: Patients with diagnosed stroke; Stroke patients having issues of balance dysfunction who stands for at least 20 seconds independently; Patient score minimum from 2 on Ashworth scale. Exclusion criteria: Patient under the influence of any sedatives; Any other pathological conditions; Malignancy; Multiple sclerosis; Vestibular dysfunction; Suffering from severe visual problem

Intervention group received plantar vibration for 10 min 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks along with the conventional therapy. In the Planter vibration protocol, the patient was either in a standing or sitting position with 90 degrees flexed knee and support with belts and a frame to avoid the risk of fall. The Control group received the same conventional physical therapy was given as for treatment group. Patients were also received electrical stimulation via TENS. TENS sessions were applied to the tibial nerve branch of the sciatic nerve of the affected limb on the plantar surface of the foot each one was lasting for 10 minutes with 110 Hz frequency 3 times a day. The patient has received 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks.

Balance

Random assignment was used for treatment using a sealed envelope. For that, 52 sheets of aluminum paper are properly cut. This paper should be double the size of the paper. 26 Sheets of Carbon paper cut into appropriate size according to the paper used. A standard-sized square paper was taken in which group "(Planter vibrator)" was marked. In this way, 26 papers were prepared marked with "(Planter vibrator)" and 26 square-shaped papers marked with "(TENS)". The sheet of paper on which either (Planter vibrator) or (TENS) was marked was folded to fit the envelope. A sheet of Carbon paper was placed on the top of the folded paper (marked either (Planter vibrator) or (TENS)) facing the envelope. Then the sheet of Aluminum foil was wrapped on the carbon paper (with folded paper inside). All the above prepared were placed in the envelope (which was completely opaque), the envelope was then sealed. In this way 26 envelops of "(Planter vibrator)" and 26 envelops of "(TENS)" were prepared with a total number of 52 envelopes. These 52 envelopes were then thoroughly shuffled like a deck of cards. The envelopes were then marked with numbers 1-52. Each participant picked the envelope in order from 1-52 and was given an intervention (Planter vibrator or TENS) accordingly.

Only the researcher doing the study knows which treatment or intervention the participant is receiving. It makes results less likely to be biased. For that, they received an additional device that is not connected and they feel they are receiving treatment apart from their actual treatment.

Due to Ethical Considerations