MDS 18th International Congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders, Volume 29,
June 2014 Abstract Supplement

Movement Disorders 2014
Stockholm, Sweden June 8-12, 2014.

The Effect Of Focal Mechanical Vibrations With A Wearable Device (Equistasi) On Rehabilitation Of Postural Instability In Parkinson’s Disease

Volpe, D., Giantin, M.G., Fasano, A., Scutari, A., Sambini, M.

Venice, Italy

Objective:

The aim of this pilot study is to verify whether enhancing balance training using a wearable proprioceptive device in a rehabilitation setting leads to a clinically meaningful effect in PD patients with balance impairment.

Background:

Impairing proprioception worsens postural stability and particularly reduces the COP displacements in response to external perturbations during visual deprivation Muscle spindles endings are extremely sensitive to externally applied vibrations and under such circumstances they convey proprioceptive inflows to the central nervous system that modulate the spinal reflexes excitability. In keeping with a role for proprioceptive impairment it was documented a defective scaling and habituation of postural reactions during either neck or legs vibration, the extent of these abnormalities being correlated with disease progression. Therefore, we can argue that combining a perturbation-based training in association with a wearable device providing muscle mechanical vibrations could improve postural stability in PD.

Methods:

40 patients with PD were randomized to receive a 2-month intensive program of balance training while wearing (Equistasi) or the identical training program while wearing a placebo device identical to the active one. Equistasi^® is medical device exclusively composed by nanotechnology fibers that transform the body temperature into mechanical vibratory energy. Participants were randomly allocate to two groups:- Active group: each patient wore 3 Equistasi^® cards applied over the 7^th cervical vertebra and on each soleus muscle tendons.

– Placebo group: each patient wore 3 cards applied on the same body sites chosen for the active group. In terms of outcome measures, we quantify postural stability using the posturographic exam, the Berg Balance Scale, the ABC, the FES, and falls. Motor disability using the motor component of the UPDRS and the Timed Up and Go.

Results:

The results showed that the Equistasi group made greater gains than the CTRL physiotherapy group. See Table 1.

Conclusions:

In conclusion a physiotherapy program for training balance based on perturbation in association with focal mechanical vibration with the device Equistasi appears to be effective, safe, simple due to the wearable characteristic of this innovative device with the potential to improve balance, mobility reducing disability and falls.

To cite this abstract, please use the following information:
Volpe, D., Giantin, M.G., Fasano, A., Scutari, A., Sambini, M.; The effect of focal mechanical vibrations with a wearable device (Equistasi) on rehabilitation of postural instability in Parkinson’s disease [abstract]. Movement Disorders 2014;29 Suppl 1 :738