title: Effects of Three Weeks of Whole-Body Vibration Training on Joint-Position Sense, Balance, and Gait in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Study.
abstract: Purpose: To observe the effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) training in conjunction with conventional physical therapy (PT) on joint-position sense (JPS), balance, and gait in children with cerebral palsy (CP).Methods:In this randomized controlled study, 24 children with CP were randomly selected either to continue their conventional PT or to receive WBV in conjunction with their conventional PT programme. Exposure to the intervention was intermittent (3 min WBV, 3 min rest) for 20 minutes, twice weekly for 3 weeks. JPS, balance, and gait were evaluated before and after treatment.Results:Ankle JPS was improved after 3 weeks of WBV training (p=0.014). Participants in the WBV group showed greater improvements in speed (F1,21=5.221,p=0.035) and step width (F1,21=4.487,p=0.039) than participants in the conventional PT group.Conclusion:Three weeks of WBV training was effective in improving ankle JPS and gait variables in children with CP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University; Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Health and Welfare, Woosong University, Daejeon.
authors.forename: Myung-Sook
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Wonju Medical Center, Wonju.
authors.forename: Yon Ju
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Sim
authors.affiliation: HIP&MAL Laboratory, Department of Rehabilitation Science, Inje University, Gimhae, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Do Hyun
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University.
authors.forename: Hye-Seon
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Jeon
keywords: cerebral palsy; gait; postural balance; proprioception; whole-body vibration