title: Effects of an eight-week whole body vibration on lower extremity muscle tone and function in children with cerebral palsy.
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.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Early Intervention, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan. Electronic address: kcheng@mail.cgu.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Hsin-Yi Kathy
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: National Taoyuan Special School, 10 Te-Shou St., Tao-Yuan 330, Taiwan. Electronic address: ot.spring.yu@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Yu-Chun
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Tao-Yuan 330, Taiwan. Electronic address: walice@adm.cgmh.org.tw.
authors.forename: Alice May-Kuen
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Sports Equipment Technology, University of Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: ystsai@utaipei.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Yung-Shen
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.affiliation: Department 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.
authors.forename: Yan-Ying
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Ju
mesh_terms: D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009129:Muscle Tonus; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014732:Vibration / Q000627:therapeutic use*
keywords: Ambulation; Cerebral palsy; Rehabilitation; Spasticity; Whole body vibration