title: Effect of combining passive muscle stretching and whole body vibration on spasticity and physical performance of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy.
abstract: [Purpose] This study evaluated the immediate and short-term effects of a combination of prolonged passive muscle stretching (PMS) and whole body vibration (WBV) on the spasticity, strength and balance of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. [Subjects and Methods] A randomized two-period crossover trial was designed. Twelve subjects with cerebral palsy aged 10.6 ± 2.4 years received both PMS alone as a control group (CG) and a combination of PMS and WBV as an experimental group (EG). After random allocation to the trial schedules of either EG-CG or CG-EG, CG received prolonged PMS while standing on a tilt-table for 40 minutes/day, and EG received prolonged PMS for 30 minutes, followed by 10 minutes WBV. Both CG and EG received the treatment 5 days/week for 6 weeks. [Results] Immediately after one treatment, EG resulted in better improvement in scores on the Modified Ashworth Scale than CG. After the 6-week intervention, EG also showed significantly decreased scores on the Modified Ashworth Scale compared to CG. Both CG and EG showed significantly reduced the performance times in the five times sit to stand test, and EG also showed significantly increased scores on the pediatric balance scale. [Conclusion] This study showed that 6 weeks of combined prolonged PMS and WBV had beneficial effects on the spasticity, muscle strength and balance of children and adolescents with CP.
authors.affiliation: Research Center in Back, Neck, Other Joint Pain and Human Performance, Khon Kaen University, Thailand.
authors.forename: Teeraporn
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tupimai
authors.affiliation: Research Center in Back, Neck, Other Joint Pain and Human Performance, Khon Kaen University, Thailand; School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Thailand.
authors.forename: Punnee
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Peungsuwan
authors.affiliation: Srisangwan, Khon Kaen Special School, Thailand.
authors.forename: Jitlada
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Prasertnoo
authors.affiliation: Research Center in Back, Neck, Other Joint Pain and Human Performance, Khon Kaen University, Thailand; Graduate School of Human Health Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Japan; Future Institute for Sport Sciences, Japan.
authors.forename: Juinichiro
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yamauchi
keywords: Cerebral palsy; Five times sit to stand test; Modified Ashworth Scale