Muscle vibration therapy to prevent stiffness after stroke

This study is testing whether muscle vibration therapy can help people recover better after a stroke. Researchers believe that applying gentle, repeated vibrations to arm muscles in the early weeks after stroke may help prevent stiffness (called spasticity) and encourage the brain to rewire itself and regain function—something that happens most powerfully in those first few weeks.

Most stroke patients develop muscle stiffness in their arms and legs during recovery, which can limit movement and independence. Early studies show this treatment may prevent stiffness, especially if given soon after stroke when the brain is most able to heal itself—but this has rarely been tested in newly diagnosed patients.