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

Abstract

Nowadays, whole-body vibration (WBV) has become increasingly popular as an additional therapy in the intervention of patients with cerebral palsy (CP). However, the impact of WBV remains a subject of debate. Consequently, a systematic review and meta-analysis were undertaken to evaluate the effects of WBV on the musculoskeletal system in children with CP. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were sought in the most frequent databases. The intervention studied was WBV combined with conventional physiotherapy (PT) compared with conventional PT as the control; the main outcomes were changes in the musculoskeletal system. Weighted mean differences with 95%CIs were calculated. A random-effects model was applied, and the publication bias was checked using funnel plots. On the basis of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 16 articles, including 414 patients, were considered in the final analysis. The improvement in walking performance (speed and step length) was statistically significant (p < 0.05), and although there were no significant differences in the further outcomes, a clear positive tendency was visible in the case of improved muscle strength, decreased spasticity, enhanced gross motor functions, and overall stability. Based on the findings, a clear assessment of the usefulness of this intervention cannot be made; nonetheless, due to the promising results, it would be worthwhile to conduct additional RCTs to enhance the available evidence in this field. Due to the wide range of vibration configurations, including varying durations and intensities, it is suggested to establish guidelines and a strategy for the incorporation of this additional treatment.