The effects of whole-body vibration on gait and balance in children with diplegic spastic cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled pilot study


OKUR E. Ö., KURT G., AFŞAR E., OKUR İ., Saracoglu İ., Gokpinar H. H.

Developmental Neurorehabilitation, vol.28, no.2-3, pp.95-102, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 28 Issue: 2-3
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/17518423.2025.2526354
  • Journal Name: Developmental Neurorehabilitation
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, CINAHL, EMBASE, ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), MEDLINE, Psycinfo
  • Page Numbers: pp.95-102
  • Keywords: Balance, cerebral palsy, gait, spastic, whole body vibration
  • Kütahya Health Sciences University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of whole-body vibration (WBV) on spasticity, gait, balance, and motor performance in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: Groups were administered the conventional physiotherapy program for 8 weeks. WBV group received an additional 2 sessions of WBV a week. Results: The WBV training combined with conventional physiotherapy is superior to conventional physiotherapy alone in improving gross motor functions (GMFM-D&E), functional walking ability assessment (1-MWT distance) and dynamic balance ability (PDS score) (p < 0,05). Conclusions: WBV training program added to a conventional physiotherapy program could provide more gains in terms of functionality and the motor functional level of children with spastic diplegic CP.