EFFECTS OF LOCAL VIBRATION THERAPY ON UPPER LIMB’S SENSORIMOTOR CONTROL SUFFERING TO PARKINSON’S DISEASE WHO ARE STILL OF WORKING AGE – PRELIMINARY STUDY ON A NEW PREVENTION AND THERAPEUTIC SYSTEM
S. GENTILI
Department of Systems Medicine, Section of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Italy
S. MUGNAINI *
Department of Systems Medicine and Industrial Engineering, “Technological Rehabilitation”, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Italy
S. LANZI
Master School on Clinical Posturology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Italy
M. RICHETTA
Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Italy
A. PIETROIUSTI
Department of Biopathology, Section of Occupational Health, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Italy
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Our study arises from the growing and consistent body of scientific investigations conducted for several years on the vibration in the therapeutic area, the effects of which may positively affect the quality of life in people affected by Parkinson's disease but still engaged with working activities.
Background: Recent studies have suggested that the local vibration therapy can have a positive influence on motor symptoms in individuals with Parkinson's disease [PD].
Objective: The objectives of this study are to apply the therapy Vibratory local with a medical device colled EVM, on the tender points of upper limb, in order to evaluate the efficacy of local vibratory motor symptoms and functional in PD using qualitative methods and quantitative evaluation.
Methods: we applied the local vibration therapy for the upper limb through the machine EVM. 5 cups were placed at the trapezium, anterior deltoid, biceps, radial flexor carpi and hand. The vibration was applied for 15 minutes at a frequency of 30 Hz, displacement amplitude compression / decompression of more or less 400 mm, power 3. The therapeutic plan consisted of three sessions per week for a total of 10. The evaluation was conducted stairs with both qualitative and quantitative: Gate Analysis, UPDRS, Peg test, Jebsen test, Minimental, Constant scale, Sf-36, ADL / IADL, Apraxia sceen of Tullia, Abhiland.
Results: Improvements were seen in all scales especially in functional use of the upper limb in ADL and work. In particular, the results show a significant decrease in rigidity, the bradykinesia, tremor also highlighting a significant increase in commuting arm.
Conclusions: The results of this research provide the direction for the Local vibration therapy as a treatment totally non-invasive and painless and as positive reinforcement of the complex rehabilitative disease.
Keywords: Vibration therapy, parkinson disease, working activities