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Functional Electrical Stimulation Versus Whole-Body Vibration in Post-Stroke Rehabilitation

Comparative Effects of Functional Electrical Stimulation and Whole Body Vibration Training on Lower Limb Motor Control, Balance and Physical Performance in Post-Stroke Patients

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07629882
Enrollment
34
Registered
2026-06-05
Start date
2025-06-05
Completion date
2026-08-06
Last updated
2026-06-05

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Stroke (CVA) or TIA

Keywords

Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES), Stroke Rehabilitation, Physical Performance, Balance, Lower Limb Motor Control, Whole Body Vibration Training (WBVT)

Brief summary

This study will compare the effects of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) and Whole Body Vibration Training (WBVT) on lower limb motor control, balance, and physical performance in post-stroke patients. It will be a single-blinded randomized clinical trial including 34 participants, who will be allocated into two groups. Both groups will receive their respective interventions 4 days per week for 8 weeks. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for lower extremity motor control, Berg Balance Scale for balance, and Barthel Index for physical performance.

Detailed description

Stroke is an acute focal injury of the central nervous system caused by a vascular source, which results in neurological deficits and can cause disability or death. Stroke can lead to motor weakness, sensory deficiency and loss of motor control. Patients who have had a stroke frequently experience issues with their balance, gait and physical performance. Whole-Body Vibration Training (WBVT) is a non-pharmacological intervention that transmits vibration stimulation throughout the body and has demonstrated promise in improving balance, mobility, and physical function in stroke rehabilitation. Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) is a rehabilitation technique that helps stroke survivors regain motor skills by stimulating certain nerves with electrical impulses applied via the skin's surface, which causes paretic muscles to move. FES can be utilized to improve physical performance, muscle strength, and balance in stroke patients. Strokes frequently lead to poor physical performance, diminished balance, and impaired lower limb motor control, all of which have an adverse effect on daily functioning and quality of life. This study aims to compare the effects of Functional Electrical Stimulation and Whole Body Vibration Training on lower limb motor control, balance, and physical performance in post-stroke patients.

Interventions

DEVICEFunctional Electrical Stimulation

Functional Electrical Stimulation will be delivered transcutaneously to selected lower limb muscles for 8 weeks. Stimulation will target tibialis anterior, quadriceps, hamstrings, peroneal muscles, and other lower limb muscles according to patient need and tolerance. The intervention will use biphasic symmetrical pulsed current with progressive intensity, duration, and functional movement integration. Treatment will be supervised by a physiotherapist, and outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks.

DEVICEWhole Body Vibration Training

Whole Body Vibration Training will be delivered using a vibration platform for 8 weeks. Participants will perform progressive lower limb activities including standing, semi-squat, heel raises, dynamic squatting, side-to-side weight shifting, and one-leg stance exercises. Frequency, duration, and difficulty will be progressed according to patient tolerance under physiotherapist supervision.

Sponsors

Riphah International University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Masking description

A single-blinded design will be implemented: the outcome assessor will remain blinded to group allocation to minimize measurement bias and enhance the reliability of results.

Intervention model description

Participants will be randomly allocated into two equal groups: Functional Electrical Stimulation group and Whole Body Vibration Training group.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
35 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* the patient is between the ages of 35 and 70. * Both male and female participants will be included. * Chronic post-stroke patients from 6 months to 1 year. * Stroke patients who have a neurological impairment. * Individuals who experienced a single stroke in either the left or right hemisphere of the brain. * Lower limb motor impairment with Fugl-Meyer Lower Extremity Score ≤ 28. * Barthel Index Score ≥ 60. * Berg Balance Scale Score ≥ 21.

Exclusion criteria

patients suffering from unstable cardiac condition, severe hypertension, congestive heart failure, aphasia, or cognitive impairments for which exercises are contraindicated. * Patients with recurrent stroke. * Patients undergoing other form of lower limb stimulation therapy concurrently. * Severe orthopedic conditions or joint deformities affecting lower limb.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
lower Limb Motor ControlBaseline and 8 weeks post-interventionAssessed using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Lower Extremity.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
BalanceBaseline and 8 weeks post-interventionAssessed using the Berg Balance Scale.
Physical PerformanceBaseline and 8 weeks post-interventionAssessed using the Barthel Index Scale.

Countries

Pakistan

Contacts

STUDY_CHAIRAmbreen Iqbal IQBAL

Riphah International University Role

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Jun 6, 2026