Early vibration assisted physiotherapy in toddlers with cerebral palsy - a randomized controlled pilot trial.
to investigate feasibility, safety and efficacy of home-based side-alternating whole body vibration (sWBV) to improve motor function in toddlers with cerebral palsy (CP).



Randomized controlled trial including 24 toddlers with CP (mean age 19 months (SD±3.1); 13 boys).



14 weeks sWBV with ten 9-minute sessions weekly (non-individualized). Group A started with sWBV, followed by 14 weeks without; in group B this order was reversed. Feasibility (≥70% adherence) and adverse events were recorded; efficacy evaluated with the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66), Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI), at baseline (T0), 14 (T1) and 28 weeks (T2).



Developmental change between T0 and T1 was similar in both groups; change scores in group A and B: GMFM-66 2.4 (SD±2.1) and 3.3 (SD±2.9) (p=0.412); PEDI mobility 8.4 (SD±6.6) and 3.5 (SD±9.2) (p=0.148), respectively. In two children muscle tone increased post-sWBV. 24 children received between 67 and 140 sWBV sessions, rate of completed sessions ranged from 48 to 100% and no dropouts were observed.



A 14-week home-based sWBV intervention was feasible and safe in toddlers with CP, but was not associated with improvement in gross motor function.
University of Cologne, Children's Hospital, Germany.
C
C
Stark
P
P
Herkenrath
H
H
Hollmann
S
S
Waltz
I
I
Becker
L
L
Hoebing
O
O
Semler
H
H
Hoyer-Kuhn
I
I
Duran
B
B
Hero
M
M
Hadders-Algra
E
E
Schoenau
D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000295:instrumentation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014732:Vibration / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*