The Effect of Triceps Brachii Vibration on Proprioception, during Motor Performance of Elbow Joint - a Normative Study

The purpose of the study was to find the effect of triceps brachii vibration on proprioception, during motor performance of elbow joint. 150 healthy young participants within the age group of 18 - 26 years were selected. To confirm that the method of vibration alters proprioceptive sensation, testing the limb position matching during both passive and active movements, without and with vibration was carried out. Vibration was applied directly over the triceps brachii tendon and visual feedback was restricted for all participants. Ranges of motion for both elbow joints were documented. The data obtained was analyzed statistically and results were displayed graphically.

During the vibration trials, a significant difference was found in the scores obtained by the matching limb, in the passive driven condition and active matching condition. This finding confirms that a vibratory stimulus applied to the triceps brachii, during elbow flexion, induced a illusory response resulting in a movement perceived in the direction of elbow flexion.

Thus it can be concluded that, vibration given to a muscle tendon effectively produces kinaesthetic illusion of a movement.