Effects of Vibration Swing Exercise on the Unstable Surface on Balance, Gait and Depression in Chronic Stroke Patients

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of vibration swing exercise performed on an unstable surface on balance, gait, and depression in patients with chronic stroke.Methods: A total of 24 patients with chronic stroke participated in the study and were randomly assigned to two groups: the unstable surface vibration swing exercise group (experimental group) and the stable surface vibration swing exercise group (control group).The experimental group performed vibration swing exercises on an unstable surface, while the control group performed the same exercises on a stable surface.Balance was assessed using the Berg Balance Scale, gait was measured with the 10-Meter Walking Test, and depression was evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory.Paired t-tests were used to analyze within-group differences, and independent t-tests were used to compare outcomes between the two groups.Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in balance, gait, and depression after the intervention (p < 0.05).However, the experimental group that performed the vibration swing exercise performance on an unstable surface showed significantly greater improvements in all three measures compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion:Vibration swing exercise performed on an unstable surface is more effective than on a stable surface for improving balance, gait, and depression in patients with chronic stroke.