title: A specialized rehabilitation approach improves mobility in children with osteogenesis imperfecta.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a rare disease leading to recurrent fractures, hyperlaxicity of ligaments, short stature and muscular weakness. Physiotherapy is one important treatment approach. The objective of our analysis was to evaluate the effect of a new physiotherapy approach including side alternating whole body vibration on motor function in children with OI.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a retrospective analysis data of 53 children were analyzed. The 12 months approach included 6 months of side alternating whole body vibration training, concomitant physiotherapy, resistance training, treadmill training and 6 months follow up. Primary outcome parameter was the Gross Motor Function Measure after 12 months (M12).
  
  
  RESULTS
  53 children (male: 32; age (mean±SEM): 9.1±0.61, range 2.54-24.81 years) participated in the treatment approach. A significant increase of motor function (GMFM-66 score 55.47±2.45 to 58.67±2.83; p=0.001) and walking distance (47.04 m±6.52 to 63.36±8.25 m (p<0.01) between M0 and M12 was seen. Total body without head bone mineral density increased significantly at M12 (p=0.0189).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the cohort of OI children which participated in the specialized treatment approach improvements of motor function were observed. Therefore this program should be considered as additional therapeutic approach for children with severe OI.
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hoyer-Kuhn
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Semler
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stark
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Struebing
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Goebel
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schoenau
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015519:Bone Density; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010013:Osteogenesis Imperfecta / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014732:Vibration / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult