Effects of an eight-week whole body vibration on lower extremity muscle tone and function in children with cerebral palsy.

Author: Cheng HK1, Yu YC2, Wong AM3, Tsai YS4, Ju YY5.
Affiliation: 1Graduate Institute of Early Intervention, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan. Electronic address: kcheng@mail.cgu.edu.tw. 2National Taoyuan Special School, 10 Te-Shou St., Tao-Yuan 330, Taiwan. Electronic address: ot.spring.yu@gmail.com. 3Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Tao-Yuan 330, Taiwan. Electronic address: walice@adm.cgmh.org.tw. 4Graduate Institute of Sports Equipment Technology, University of Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: ystsai@utaipei.edu.tw. 5Department of Adapted Physical Education, National Taiwan Sport University, 250 Wen-Hua 1st Rd., Kwei-Shan, Tao-Yuan 333, Taiwan. Electronic address: yanju@ntsu.edu.tw.
Conference/Journal: Res Dev Disabil.
Date published: 2015 Jan 6
Other: Volume ID: 38C , Pages: 256-261 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2014.12.017. , Word Count: 205


Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an eight-week whole body vibration (WBV) on lower extremity spasticity and ambulatory function in children with cerebral palsy with a complete crossover design. Sixteen participants aged 9.2 (2.1) years participated in this study. Half of the participants received a 10-min WBV, 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Then a 4-week washout period followed, after which they received a sham WBV 3 times a week for 8 weeks. The other half received the intervention in a reversed order. The participants were evaluated via variables measuring range-of-motion, muscle tone, and ambulatory function before, immediately after, 1 day after, and 3 days after each intervention. Repeated-measures analyses revealed significant beneficial effects on most variables expect the passive range-of-motion measurement. Significant correlations were found between timed up-and-go and relaxation index, and between timed up-and-go and six-minute walk test. The results suggested that an 8-week WBV intervention normalized muscle tone, improved active joint range and enhanced ambulatory performance in children with cerebral palsy for at least 3 days. These indicated that regular WBV can serve as an alternative, safe, and efficient treatment for these children in both clinical and home settings.
Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
KEYWORDS:
Ambulation; Cerebral palsy; Rehabilitation; Spasticity; Whole body vibration
PMID: 25575288