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

June 1, 2026 updated by: Riphah International University

Comparative Effects of Functional Electrical Stimulation and Whole Body Vibration Training on Lower Limb Motor Control, Balance and Physical Performance in Post-Stroke Patients

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.

Study Overview

Status

Active, not recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Stroke is an acute focal injury of the central nervous system caused by a vascular source, which results in neurological deficits and can cause disability or death. Stroke can lead to motor weakness, sensory deficiency and loss of motor control. Patients who have had a stroke frequently experience issues with their balance, gait and physical performance. Whole-Body Vibration Training (WBVT) is a non-pharmacological intervention that transmits vibration stimulation throughout the body and has demonstrated promise in improving balance, mobility, and physical function in stroke rehabilitation. Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) is a rehabilitation technique that helps stroke survivors regain motor skills by stimulating certain nerves with electrical impulses applied via the skin's surface, which causes paretic muscles to move. FES can be utilized to improve physical performance, muscle strength, and balance in stroke patients. Strokes frequently lead to poor physical performance, diminished balance, and impaired lower limb motor control, all of which have an adverse effect on daily functioning and quality of life. This study aims to compare the effects of Functional Electrical Stimulation and Whole Body Vibration Training on lower limb motor control, balance, and physical performance in post-stroke patients.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

34

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Pakistan
    • Punjab Province
      • Gujrat, Punjab Province, Pakistan, 50700
        • Hafiz Physiotherapy Center

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • 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.

Exclusion Criteria:

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.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Functional Electrical Stimulation Group
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
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.
Other Names:
  • Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
  • FES
  • Electrical Stimulation Therapy
Active Comparator: Whole Body Vibration Training Group

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
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.
Other Names:
  • Whole Body Vibration
  • WBV Training

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
lower Limb Motor Control
Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks post-intervention
Assessed using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Lower Extremity.
Baseline and 8 weeks post-intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Balance
Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks post-intervention
Assessed using the Berg Balance Scale.
Baseline and 8 weeks post-intervention
Physical Performance
Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks post-intervention
Assessed using the Barthel Index Scale.
Baseline and 8 weeks post-intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Riphah International University

Investigators

  • Study Chair: Ambreen Iqbal IQBAL, Riphah International University Role

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

June 5, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

July 6, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

August 6, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 1, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 1, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

June 5, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 5, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 1, 2026

Last Verified

June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • NOOR NAZISH

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

The individual participant data sharing plan has not yet been finalized.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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