The effects of vibration stimulation applied to the left forearm on unilateral neglect in patients with stroke: A pilot randomized controlled trial

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of vibratory stimulation applied to the left forearm on unilateral neglect in patients with stroke. Methods : The subjects were 11 unilateral neglect patients with stroke. They were divided into 2 groups; 6 experimental subjects and 5 control subjects. Both groups received standardized rehabilitation program and occupational therapy for the intervention of unilateral neglect in a day. In random order, line bisection test (LBT), Albert test, and star cancellation test (SCT) were conducted at baseline, the next day. During the process of all assessments of the next day, vibration stimulation was provided for the 6 subjects in the experimental group (EG), while the 5 subjects in CG carried out all assessments without vibration stimulation. Result : No significant differences were found between groups on any demographic variable or baseline assessments scores. In the next day, there was significant improvement in the EG for the LBT(p<0.05), Albert's test(p<0.05), and SCT(p<0.05). However, there was no significant improvement in the CG for the LBT(p<0.05), Albert's test(p<0.05), and SCT(p<0.05). Conclusion : These result indicate that vibratory stimulation has a positive effect on the unilateral neglect, and may be considered as alternative choice in clinical occupational therapy for reducing unilateral neglect.