Vibratory stimulation in non-growing patients and its effect on the orthodontic tooth movement

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Objectives of the study were to determine the impact of vibratory stimulation in non-growing patients on the orthodontic tooth movement rate and to differentiate the orthodontic tooth movement rate in both experimental and control sides.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> 30 non-growing patients were selected for a split-mouth study with fixed appliance therapy orthodontic treatment undergoing bilateral first premolar extractions in maxillary arch. Type 1 active tiebacks were used to perform single canine retraction in all the patients. Vibratory stimulation was provided for 15 minutes daily with the help of Oral-B battery powered toothbrushes of 125 Hz frequency. Measurement was taken with calibrated digital vernier caliper clinically and OPG were taken at regular time intervals using grid method for the tooth movement calculation.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> P value obtained by statistical calculation shows non-significant results in both experimental and control sides in non-growing patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Cyclic loading in non-growing patients with fixed orthodontic appliance shows no change in orthodontic tooth movement in experimental and control group.</p>

Cyclic loading; its impact on the orthodontic tooth movement in growing patients: in vivo study

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background: </strong>The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of vibratory stimulation on the orthodontic tooth movement rate in growing patients and to compare the orthodontic tooth movement rate in experimental and control sides.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods: </strong>Split-mouth design study was done on 30 growing fixed appliance therapy orthodontic cases with bilateral first premolar extractions in maxillary arch. Individual canine retractions were performed in all the subjects with type-1 active tiebacks. Oral-B powered toothbrushes (125 Hz) were used to provide vibratory stimulation for 15 minutes per day (splits into 5 minutes thrice a day). The tooth movement was measured with calibrated digital vernier caliper clinically at various time intervals (T0, T1 and T2). OPG were taken at regular mentioned time intervals and grid method was used to calculate the tooth movement on OPGs.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Results were evaluated statistically and the p-value revealed significantly increased rate of tooth movement on experimental side as compared to control side.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The high-frequency vibratory stimulation along with fixed orthodontic appliance can reduce treatment time expeditiously in growing patients. Powered toothbrushes can use successfully for providing vibrations to enhance the rate of tooth movement.</p>

Vibration-induced nystagmus in patients with chronic unilateral Meniere's disease

Background and Aim: Meniere's disease (MD) is one of the inner ear disorders associated with fluctuating hearing loss, vertigo, ear fullness, and tinnitus. Vestibular stimulation delas with the int­egrity of the peripheral vestibular system and may cause nystagmus due to the functional asy­mmetry between right and lef peripheral vesti­bular system. This study aimed to assess the vibration-induced nystagmus (VIN) in patients with chronic unilateral MD and investigate the effectiveness of this test in detecting the affected ear in these patients. Methods: This study was conducted on 29 pati­ents with chronic unilateral MD. For this pur­pose, spontaneous nystagmus (SN) and VIN at frequencies of 30 Hz and 100 Hz were recorded by videonystagmography test under five recor­ding conditions. The vibratory stimulation was presented to both healthy and affected ears. Coll­ected were analyzed in SPSS v.22 software. Results: Vibratory stimulation compared to the unstimulated condition, revealed a significant difference in eye movements for both healthy and affected ears. Moreover, the difference between VIN and SN in the affected ear was much greater than in the healthy ear. Conclusion: In patients with chronic unilateral MD, 100 Hz vibratory stimulation of the affected ear induces more reliable nystagmus than 30 Hz stimulation and unstimulated condition. The VIN test can be used for the evaluation of the vesti­bular system function and is a promising techni­que to detect the MD ear. Keywords: Meniere's disease; spontaneous nystagmus; vibration-induced nystagmus; chronic; definite; vestibular vibrator

Using Subthreshold Vibratory Stimulation During Poststroke Rehabilitation Therapy: A Case Series

Subthreshold vibratory stimulation to the paretic wrist has been shown to prime the sensorimotor cortex and improve 2-week upper extremity (UE) therapy outcomes. The objective of this work was to determine feasibility, safety, and preliminary efficacy of the stimulation over a typical 6-week therapy duration. Four chronic stroke survivors received stimulation during 6-week therapy. Feasibility/safety/efficacy were assessed at baseline, posttherapy, and 1-month follow-up. For feasibility, all participants wore the device throughout therapy and perceived the stimulation comfortable/safe. Regarding safety, no serious/moderate intervention-related adverse events occurred. For efficacy, all participants improved in Wolf Motor Function Test and UE use in daily living based on accelerometry and stroke impact scale. Mean improvements at posttherapy/follow-up were greater than the minimal detectable change/clinically important difference and other trials with similar therapy without stimulation. In conclusion, the stimulation was feasible/safe for 6-week use. Preliminary efficacy encourages a larger trial to further evaluate the stimulation as a therapy adjunct.

Dynamic analysis of lower leg muscles response to whole body vibration stimulation at different frequencies and postures: implications for training

PurposeTo characterise the mechanical and neuromuscular response of lower limb muscles in subjects undergoing Whole Body Vibration (WBV) at different frequencies while holding two static postures.MethodsTwenty-five participants underwent WBV at 15, 20, 25 and 30 Hz while holding a static ‘hack squat’ and on ‘fore feet’ posture. Surface electromyography (sEMG) and soft tissue accelerations were collected from Gastrocnemius Lateralis (GL), Soleus (SOL) and Tibialis Anterior (TA) muscles.ResultsOnly specific WBV settings led to a significant increase in muscle contraction. Specifically, the WBV-induced activation of SOL and GL was maximal in fore-feet and in response to higher frequencies. Estimated displacement at muscle bellies revealed a resonant pattern never highlighted before. After stimulation starts, muscle oscillation reaches a peak followed by a drop and a further stabilisation (few seconds after the peak) that suggests the occurrence of a neuromuscular activation to reduce the vibration-induced oscillation.ConclusionLower leg muscles need a response time to tune to a vibratory stimulation, which discourages the use of dynamic exercises on vibrating platforms. To maximize calf muscle response to WBVs, a stimulation frequency in the range of 25-30 Hz and an ‘on fore feet’ posture are recommended.

Pilot Safety and Feasibility Study of Non-invasive Limb Proprioceptive Cerebellar Stimulation for Epilepsy

Cerebellar stimulation reduces seizures in animals and in humans with drug-resistant epilepsy. In a pilot safety and feasibility study, we applied continuous cutaneous vibratory stimulation (limb proprioceptive cerebellar stimulation) to foot limb proprioceptive receptors to activate cerebellar, pontine, and thalamic structures in drug-resistant epilepsy patients for 8-h nocturnally up to 6-months after a 4-week pre-treatment control baseline. Seizure frequency was evaluated during the baseline control period, and at 6, 12, and 24 weeks after the control recordings. Five-subjects completed at least the first 6-week treatment. At 12-weeks, the median reduction in seizure frequency was −27.8% (mean reduction = −22.3%). Two subjects continued for 24 weeks, with a decline of −44.1 and −45.4%. This pilot study provides support for further clinical studies into the safety and efficacy of limb proprioceptive cerebellar stimulation for epilepsy.