Results of a prospective pilot trial on mobility after whole body vibration in children and adolescents with osteogenesis imperfecta.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of whole body vibration on the mobility of long-term immobilized children and adolescents with a severe form of osteogenesis imperfecta. Osteogenesis imperfecta is a hereditary primary bone disorder with a prevalence from 1 in 10000 to 1 in 20000 births. Most of these children are suffering from long-term immobilization after recurrent fractures. Due to the immobilization they are affected by loss of muscle (sarcopenia) and secondary loss of bone mass.


METHODS
Whole body vibration was applied to eight children and adolescents (osteogenesis imperfecta type 3, N=5; osteogenesis imperfecta type 4, N=3) over a period of six months.


RESULTS
Whole body vibration was applied by a vibrating platform (Galileo Systems) constructed on a tilting-table. Success of treatment was assessed by measuring alterations of the tilting-angle and evaluating the mobility (Brief Assessment of Motor Function). All individuals were characterized by improved muscle force documented by an increased tilting-angle (median = 35 degrees) or by an increase in ground reaction force (median at start=30.0 [N/kg] (14.48-134.21); median after six months = 146.0 [N/kg] (42.46-245.25).


CONCLUSIONS
Whole body vibration may be a promising approach to improve mobility in children and adolescents severely affected with osteogenesis imperfecta.
Semler
Oliver
O
Children's Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Fricke
Oliver
O
Vezyroglou
Katharina
K
Stark
Christina
C
Stabrey
Angelika
A
Schoenau
Eckhard
E
D000293:Adolescent; D015519:Bone Density; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010013:Osteogenesis Imperfecta / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014732:Vibration / Q000627:therapeutic use*