Purpose: It was hypothesised that lumbar vibration stimulation applied by a vibratory orthosis improves balance in people with Parkinson's disease (PD).
Methods: The overall stability index and the percent of elapsed time in different zones and quadrants on the platform of Biodex balance system were evaluated. General conditions of eyes-open and eyes-close, each with two situations of motors On and motors Off of vibratory orthosis were considered.
Results: Balance in PD patients improved in eyes-open condition rather than eyes-close. The balance also improved in eyes-open condition with motors On rather than that in motors Off. In eyes-close condition, balance was lesser in motors On than that in motors Off situation. The results also suggest that in PD patients, body trajectories on the platform of Biodex balance system follow a random-like chaotic behaviour.
Conclusions: A new orthosis in rehabilitation of PD patients was introduced to enhance balance and decrease risk of fall. It promotes new ideas for rehabilitation of similar neurological diseases. The possibility of enhancing balance in PD patients in a short-term setting was evaluated. Results showed balance enhancement in PD patients in eyes-open condition. However, in eyes-close condition, we are not sure of its effectiveness.