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Early vibration assisted physiotherapy in toddlers with cerebral palsy - a randomized controlled pilot trial
C Stark1, P Herkenrath, H Hollmann
1University of Cologne, Children's Hospital, Germany.
Insights
Home-based whole body vibration (sWBV) is feasible and safe for toddlers with cerebral palsy (CP). However, this 14-week intervention did not show significant improvements in gross motor function.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric rehabilitation
- Neurology
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) is a common childhood motor disorder.
- Improving motor function in toddlers with CP is a key therapeutic goal.
- Home-based interventions offer potential for increased accessibility and adherence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of home-based side-alternating whole body vibration (sWBV) in toddlers with CP.
- To determine if sWBV can enhance gross motor function in this population.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 24 toddlers with CP (mean age 19 months).
- Intervention: 14 weeks of home-based sWBV (ten 9-minute sessions weekly).
- Outcome measures: Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66) and Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) assessed at baseline, 14, and 28 weeks.
Main Results:
- The sWBV intervention demonstrated feasibility with high adherence rates (48-100% of sessions completed) and no dropouts.
- No significant differences in developmental changes were observed between the sWBV group and the control period.
- Two children experienced increased muscle tone post-intervention; no other adverse events were reported.
Conclusions:
- Home-based sWBV is a feasible and safe intervention for toddlers with cerebral palsy.
- The 14-week sWBV program did not lead to significant improvements in gross motor function in this study population.
Objectives:
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).
Methods:
Randomized controlled trial including 24 toddlers with CP (mean age 19 months (SD±3.1); 13 boys).
Intervention:
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).
Results:
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.
Conclusion:
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.
