One of the causes of disability in patients suffering from a stroke is postural imbalance. Sensory stimulation improves the postural symmetry of the subject transitorily and they are thought to have an effect on the spatial frame of reference through a sensory recalibration. Studies have shown that sensory stimulation by vibration of neck muscles have an immediate effect on static balance and when walking. The objective of this preliminary study is to test the long-lasting effects of repetitive neck muscle vibrations on postural disturbances in standing position and on spatial frame reference in chronic patients.

The hypothesis of this study is that the proprioceptive repeated stimulation by vibration of neck muscles in the long term improved postural asymmetry in connection with the egocentric representation of body disorders.

The effect of vibration simultaneously on improving postural asymmetry and on improving markers of the perception of the body in space (LBA, SSA, Subjective Visual Vertical (SVV), Rod and frame) will be assessed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult (age ≥ 18 years) under 80 years,

• Right or left unilateral supratentorial ischemic or hemorrhagic lesion

• The first symptomatic episode

• Stroke

  • older than 12 months
  • with or without hemianopsia
  • with or without visuospatial hemineglect

• Standing balance ≥ 30 sec unaided

• Percentage of weight bearing asymmetry on the hemiplegic lower limb (on a force platform)

• Written informed consent of the patient or a member of his entourage (in the case of patients with motor difficulties)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Orthopaedic, rheumatologic, neurologic, vestibular or visual disorders affecting the distribution of the centre of pressure while standing on the force platform
• Visual disorder that does not allow assessment of the spatial frame of reference test
• Difficulty with understanding protocol procedures

Patients with stroke