Clinical Trial Evaluating the Impact of an Intensive Rehabilitation Program Combined With Tendon Vibratory Stimulation on Functional Balance in Individuals With Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Type 1A

Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is caused by a genetic abnormality involving the PMP22 gene, resulting in demyelination of the peripheral nerves. Demyelination leads to sensorimotor impairment and causes progressive muscle weakness and tendon contractures, initially affecting the lower limbs. Consequently, individuals with CMT experience balance impairments and gait disturbances, including ankle instability, foot drop, and postural instability, which lead to frequent falls and reduced quality of life. Currently, there is no disease-modifying treatment for CMT. Several rehabilitation approaches have been proposed, including endurance training and muscle strengthening programs, to improve independence in activities of daily living. However, rehabilitation practices for individuals with CMT remain poorly standardized, and there is still a lack of clearly defined rehabilitation protocols, despite broad agreement among healthcare professionals regarding their potential benefits. More recently, noninvasive focal tendon vibration has been investigated in several neurological disorders to improve sensory function, balance, and motor performance. Previous studies suggest that mechanical vibratory stimulation applied to the quadriceps tendon may induce sustained improvements in postural control and lower-limb muscle strength. The present study aims to evaluate a rehabilitation program combined with tendon vibratory stimulation. The objective is to compare the effectiveness of a short-term (2-week), intensive multidisciplinary rehabilitation program focused on balance with different types of focal tendon vibration, in order to better address balance impairments and their associated complications in individuals with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.