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

NCT07629882 | Active Not Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: NOOR NAZISH
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 34
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

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.

Conditions

Stroke (CVA) or TIA

Keywords

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

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• lower Limb Motor Control

  Assessed using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Lower Extremity.

  Baseline and 8 weeks post-intervention

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Balance

  Baseline and 8 weeks post-intervention

• Physical Performance

  Baseline and 8 weeks post-intervention

Study Arms (2)

Functional Electrical Stimulation Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm will receive transcutaneous Functional Electrical Stimulation for lower limb rehabilitation for 8 weeks. Stimulation will be applied to selected lower limb muscles including tibialis anterior, quadriceps, hamstrings, and peroneal muscles. Treatment parameters will progress according to tolerance, including intensity, session duration, and functional movement integration. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks.

Device: Functional Electrical Stimulation

Whole Body Vibration Training Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this arm will receive Whole Body Vibration Training using a vibration platform for 8 weeks. Training will include progressive activities such as standing, semi-squat, heel raises, dynamic squatting, side-to-side weight shifting, and one-leg stance. Vibration frequency, duration, and exercise difficulty will be gradually progressed according to tolerance. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks. After this, go to Interventions and add Functional Electrical Stimulation and Whole Body Vibration Training, then assign each intervention to its matching arm.

Device: Whole Body Vibration Training

Interventions

Functional Electrical Stimulation DEVICE

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.

Also known as: FES, Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation, Electrical Stimulation Therapy

Functional Electrical Stimulation Group

Whole Body Vibration Training DEVICE

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.

Also known as: Whole Body Vibration, WBV Training

Whole Body Vibration Training Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 35 Years - 70 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• 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.

You may not qualify if:

• 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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Hafiz Physiotherapy Center

Gujrat, Punjab Province, 50700, Pakistan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stroke

Interventions

Electric Stimulation Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Cerebrovascular Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation

Study Officials

• Ambreen Iqbal IQBAL

  Riphah International University Role

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: 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.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

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

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 1, 2026
• First Posted: June 5, 2026
• Study Start: June 5, 2025
• Primary Completion: July 6, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 6, 2026
• Last Updated: June 5, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)