Mechanical Vibration on Children With Cerebral Palsy
Condition: Cerebral Palsy; Spastic Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy
MeSH terms: Paralysis; Cerebral Palsy
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of mechanical vibration on spasticity and
      balance in children with cerebral palsy. The participants of the clinical study are 13
      children with CP and age 4-17 years, with a diagnosis of spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy.
      More specifically, the participants were randomly divided into a control group and an
      intervention group, with the first group continuing conventional physical therapy, while the
      experimental group outside the physical therapy program did also receive mechanical vibration
      using a hybervibe G10 vibration platform (lasting 15 minutes). The intervention lasted 8
      weeks and participants were assessed before the start of the intervention (T1), 1 month after
      the first assessment (T2) and rechecked 1 month (T3) after the completion of the program
      using valid and reliable tools.
    

Detailed description: 
      This is a randomized clinical study and 13 children, aged 4-17 with diagnosed spastic
      hemiplegic cerebral palsy participated in the research. The collection of the sample and the
      recording of the data took place in Pediatric Physiotherapy Private Practice centers in
      Lamia, Trikala and Katerini. Sampling was completed after written consent of the children's
      parents, as long as they were fully informed about the purposes of the research, the private
      physical therapy centers and the Human Performance & Rehabilitation Laboratory of the
      University of Thessaly.

      The time period that the clinical study intervention lasted was 8 weeks. The children who
      participated in the study were randomly divided through folders into an intervention group
      and a control group. The control group continued the physical therapy program they were
      already following, while the intervention group, in addition to the conventional physical
      therapy they received, did also resceive mechanical vibration. The program they were already
      following was based on the Bobath NDT Neuroevolutionary Method, where, through special
      manipulations, the emphasis is placed on improving the quality of movement and the
      functionality of the children, as well as the inclusion of the family in the wider treatment
      is considered important.

      The inclusion of mechanical vibration in the children was carried out in parallel with the
      conventional physical therapy program they followed. The protocol with the appropriate
      exercises to be followed on the HyperVibe G10 mini vibration platform had a duration of 15
      minutes, with a 2 minute break, the frequency of the mechanical vibration was 14Hz, the
      opening of the legs (amplitude) on the platform and the range of bending the knees depended
      on each participant and how safe they felt during the procedure. In front of them there was
      the possibility of supporting the upper limbs, for a possible loss of balance or if they felt
      insecure.
    

Intervention name(s): Vibration Group; Control Group
Intervention type(s): Device; Other
Intervention description(s): Whole body vibration for 15 minutes in squat and lunge position.; NDT treatment 2 sessions per week
Other intervention name(s): Mechanical Vibration; Neurodevelopmental treatment; Neurodevelopmental Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: The children who participated in the study were randomly divided through folders into an intervention group and a control group. The control group continued the physical therapy program they were already following, while the intervention group, in addition to the conventional physical therapy they received, did also receive mechanical vibration.
Masking: Single (Participant)
Primary purpose: Device Feasibility
Keywords: Cerebral palsy; Balance; Neurodevelopmental treatment; Whole body vibration; Spasticity