RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: In this study we analyzed the effects of a rehabilitation method based on the use of vibratory proprioceptive assistance (VPA) in subjects with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. METHODS: Eight subjects were given 1 month of mechanical vibratory treatment that consisted of 8 sessions of 40-min stimulation on the more affected side. During each session, illusory movements were induced as follows: sensations of extension or flexion of the forearm or elevation of the arm via vibration applied to the distal tendon of the biceps brachialis (BB), triceps brachialis (TB), or pectoralis major muscles (PM), respectively, and of elevation of the arm with extension or flexion of the forearm via vibration of PM+BB or PM+TB, respectively. RESULTS: Treatment led to a significant increase in the amplitude of voluntary shoulder flexion, constant score, and self-rated health. CONCLUSION: VPA may serve as a rehabilitation method for reducing the deleterious effects of decline in motor activities.