Unilateral vibration stimulation decreases F-wave persistence and F/M amplitude ratio in contralateral homonymous muscle corresponding to the stimulated muscle during stimulation

J Phys Ther Sci. 2024 May;36(5):267-272. doi: 10.1589/jpts.36.267. Epub 2024 May 1.

Abstract

[Purpose] This study aimed to examine the effects of unilateral vibratory stimulation on contralateral homonymous muscle. [Participants and Methods] The study included 14 participants without a history of any disease. Participants were tested under three separate conditions: vibratory stimulation, pressure stimulation, and rest. F-waves were measured at two time points for 15 seconds in the rest position under each of the testing conditions. [Results] The F/M amplitude ratio analysis showed interactions between the vibratory stimulation‒pressure stimulation and vibratory stimulation‒rest conditions. The F-wave persistence analysis demonstrated interactions between the vibratory and pressure stimulation conditions. Vibratory stimulation significantly decreased the F/M amplitude ratio and F-wave persistence at two time points, before and during the stimulation. [Conclusion] The vibratory stimulation used in this study could suppress the contralateral homonymous muscle tone.

Keywords: F-wave; Muscle tonus; Muscle vibration.