title: The acute effects of whole-body vibration on gait parameters in adults with cerebral palsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  As adults with cerebral palsy (CP) are surviving longer, interventions are needed to reduce spasticity and increase strength to improve mobility and life quality. Adults with CP are lacking a form of independent exercise that allows them to maintain or improve their ambulation skills. A new approach to increase muscle strength and flexibility called whole-body vibration (WBV) was assessed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using an individualized frequency (I-Freq) approach to WBV therapy the acute effects on gait in adults with CP was measured. In this study, eight adults with CP (age 20-51 years, two female) participated in two testing sessions: session one determined each individual's I-Freq; and session two included a 3D gait analysis before and after a WBV treatment. The WBV was administered in five, one minute bouts of vibration followed by one minute of rest.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following WBV exposure subjects experienced a significant increase in walking speed (P=0.047), stride length (P=0.017) and dynamic ankle range of motion (P=0.042).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data show that acute WBV treatments at I-Freq can improve measures of gait and mobility in adults with CP, however, future should assess potential long-term improvements.
authors: Biomechanics Laboratory, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306, USA. dcdickin@bsu.edu
authors: D C
authors: DC
authors: Dickin
authors: K A
authors: KA
authors: Faust
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Wang
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Frame
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014732:Vibration / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult