[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.
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