Effect of whole-body vibration on abdominal thickness and sitting ability in children with spastic diplegia

Abstract

Objective Reduced muscle and bone mass, improper muscle function, and varying degrees of mobility dysfunctions are the main complications of cerebral palsy (CP). Many children with CP also present with poor abdominal muscle activation. Whole-body vibration (WBV) is a unique approach for enhancing strength and motor abilities in several clinical conditions. This study aimed to determine the influence of a 12-week WBV intervention on the thickness of the abdominal muscles and the sitting ability of children with diplegia. Methods A total of 30 children with spastic diplegic CP (aged 4–6 years) were randomly divided into two groups (control and experimental). The control group received a selected physical therapy program for 1 h, and the study group received WBV training for 10 min in addition to the same selected program for the control group for 3 times/week over a period of 12 weeks. Thereafter, abdominal muscle thickness and sitting ability were measured using ultrasonography and the Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88, sitting domain). Results Post treatment values revealed significant improvement in the measured variables in favour of the experimental group ( p < 0.05), as there was improvement in the thickness of the four abdominal muscles compared to the control group (external oblique: F = 38.783; internal oblique: F = 99.547; transverse abdominis: F = 111.557, and rectus abdominis: F = 129.940, p < 0.05). Additionally, the study group showed a significantly greater improvement in GMFM-88 values compared to the control group (F = 129.940, p < 0.05). Conclusion WBV can be a viable strategy for improving sitting ability and abdominal muscle thickness among children with spastic diplegia.

The Effect of Additional Whole-Body Vibration on Musculoskeletal System in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

“…However, no significant effect was observed on gastrocnemius muscle thickness (p = 0.645) [7]. Another study [15] reported that post-treatment values demonstrated significant improvement in the parameters in favor of the experimental group (p < 0.05), as there was an improvement in the thickness of the four abdominal muscles when compared to the control group (external oblique: F = 38.783, internal oblique: F = 99.547, transverse abdominis: F = 111.557, and rectus abdominis: F = 129.940, p < 0.05).…”

“…The intensity of WBV depends on factors like amplitude, frequency, and oscillation magnitude [9,14]. Low-amplitude, low-frequency stimulation is thought to enhance muscle strength and potentially reduce spasticity and improve musculoskeletal parameters [9,15]. External factors, such as body positioning and exposure time, can influence vibration intensity [16].…”

Vojta Therapy Affects Trunk Control and Postural Sway in Children with Central Hypotonia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Among the trunk muscles, the abdominal muscle is reported to be an important determinant for effectively performing daily life and maintaining correct posture [ 14 ]. Ultrasonography was used in studies to determine the muscular structure of the abdominal muscle in children [ 15 , 16 ], because it has the advantages of low cost, non-invasive evaluation, and deep muscle measurement [ 17 ].…”