Vibration Therapy for Cerebral Palsy

Overseen By Sydni V Wilhoite, MS

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Georgia

Must not be taking: Bisphosphonates

Disqualifiers: Fractures, Surgery, Athetoid CP, others

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 8

Duration: 6 months

44 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The aim of the 6-month randomized controlled trial, with 6-month no treatment follow-up, is to examine the effects of low-magnitude vibration on muscle, physical activity, and balance in children with spastic cerebral palsy.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot participate if you are currently taking bisphosphonates.

Is vibration therapy safe for people with cerebral palsy?

Research shows that vibration therapy is generally safe and well-tolerated in children and adults with cerebral palsy, with no significant adverse effects reported in studies. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does vibration therapy differ from other treatments for cerebral palsy?

Vibration therapy for cerebral palsy is unique because it uses a vibration platform to deliver whole-body vibrations, which can help improve motor function, balance, and reduce muscle stiffness. Unlike traditional therapies that may focus on physical exercises or medications, this approach provides a non-invasive, mechanical stimulus that can be easily administered at home. ^{1 4 6 7 8}

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Vibration Therapy for Cerebral Palsy?

Research shows that vibration therapy can help reduce muscle stiffness and improve movement in people with cerebral palsy. It has been found to improve strength, walking ability, and muscle mass, and these benefits can last for a short time after the therapy session. ^{1 3 5 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Christopher M Modlesky, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Georgia

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for children with spastic cerebral palsy who can walk on their own without help. They shouldn't have had certain treatments like Botox in the past year, be taking specific bone medications, or have a Baclofen pump. Also, they must not have had recent leg surgery or fractures in both femurs or tibias.

Inclusion Criteria

You can walk without help or devices.

You have spastic cerebral palsy.

Exclusion Criteria

Children with only athetoid cerebral palsy.

You are currently using bisphosphonates.

You cannot stand on your own.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants stand on a vibration or placebo platform for 10 minutes per day for 6 months

6 months

Baseline, 1 month, 6 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment with no treatment follow-up

6 months

7 months, 12 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Placebo Platform
• Vibration Platform

Trial Overview The study tests if standing on a vibration platform for six months can improve muscle condition, physical activity, and balance compared to a placebo platform. After the initial period, there's another six months where no treatment is given to see lasting effects.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Vibration Platform Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The vibration group will stand on a platform that emits a mild vibration 10 minutes per day for 6 months. There will also be a 6 month no-treatment period.

Group II: Placebo Platform Placebo Group 1 Intervention

The placebo group will stand on a placebo platform 10 minutes per day for 6 months. There will also be a 6 month no-treatment period.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Georgia

Lead Sponsor

Trials

109

Recruited

43,500+

Emory University

Collaborator

Trials

1,735

Recruited

2,605,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Whole body vibration therapy (WBVT) was found to be feasible and well-tolerated in a pilot study involving 14 participants with moderate cerebral palsy, with a high attendance rate of over 90% and no adverse events reported.

The study suggests that WBVT could be a safe intervention for individuals with moderate severity of cerebral palsy, warranting further research with larger sample sizes and more rigorous designs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use of whole body vibration therapy in individuals with moderate severity of cerebral palsy- a feasibility study. Pin, TW., Butler, PB., Purves, S.[2020]

A single session of whole-body vibration (WBV) significantly reduced spasticity and improved motor function in children with cerebral palsy, regardless of whether a low (1 mm) or high (2 mm) amplitude was used.

Both WBV amplitudes enhanced postural control and gait patterns, with high-amplitude WBV further increasing ankle range of motion, suggesting that low-amplitude WBV can be an effective alternative for children who may not tolerate stronger vibrations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Neuromuscular response to a single session of whole-body vibration in children with cerebral palsy: A pilot study. Liang, V., Henderson, G., Wu, J.[2021]

Citations

1. Korea (South) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Immediate Effect of a Single Session of Whole Body Vibration on Spasticity in Children With Cerebral Palsy. [2020]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use of whole body vibration therapy in individuals with moderate severity of cerebral palsy- a feasibility study. [2020]

3. Greece pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Early vibration assisted physiotherapy in toddlers with cerebral palsy - a randomized controlled pilot trial. [2018]

4. New Zealand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Vibration therapy in patients with cerebral palsy: a systematic review. [2020]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Neuromuscular response to a single session of whole-body vibration in children with cerebral palsy: A pilot study. [2021]

6. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility study on a longer side-alternating vibration therapy protocol (15 min per session) in children and adolescents with mild cerebral palsy. [2023]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Vibration Therapy as an Early Intervention for Children Aged 2-4 Years with Cerebral Palsy: A Feasibility Study. [2023]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Different Protocols for Low Whole-Body Vibration Frequency for Spasticity and Physical Performance in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy. [2023]

9. Sweden pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility of Whole Body Vibration Therapy in Individuals with Dystonic or Spastic Dystonic Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Study. [2022]