Cerebral Palsy (CP)
Conditions
Keywords
Ultrasound, whole-body vibration, knee range of motion, functional ability, children, hemiplegia, cerebral palsy
Brief summary
This study compared the efficacy of therapeutic ultrasound (US) and whole-body vibration (WBV) as adjuncts to a standardized passive stretching regimen on improving knee joint range of motion (ROM) and functional capacity in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (HCP).
Detailed description
Sixty children with HCP, aged 4-6 years, were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Both groups received passive stretching of the hamstrings and plantar flexors three times per week for twelve weeks. The control group (US group) received therapeutic ultrasound prior to stretching, while the research group (WBV group) performed exercises on a vibrating platform before stretching. Active knee extension ROM was measured with a digital goniometer, and functional ability was assessed using the Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88) at baseline and post-intervention.
Interventions
DEVICEultrasound
Received continuous ultrasound (1 MHz, 1.0 W/cm², 5 min per hamstring) using a Chattanooga Intelect Mobile 2 unit with a medium-sized transducer head and coupling gel
DEVICEwhole body vibration
Performed exercises on a Power Plate Pro 5 vibration platform. Parameters were set to a frequency of 20 Hz and a fixed amplitude of 2 mm (peak-to-peak displacement). The child maintained a semi-squat posture (approximately 30 knee flexion) for two 5-minute bouts separated by a 1-minute rest.
Sponsors
Cairo University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Investigator)
Masking description
Masking Description
Intervention model description
Model Description
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
4 Years to 6 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* age from 4-6 years * knee flexion deformity due to hamstring tightness * Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I or II * spasticity grade of 1 or 2 on the modified Ashworth Scale
Exclusion criteria
* other causes of knee flexion deformity * previous orthopedic knee surgery * significant visual, auditory, or perceptual deficits * uncontrolled seizures; or acute illness
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Active Knee Extension Range of Motion (ROM) | 12 weeks | Measured using an Absolute + Axis™ Digital Goniometer. With the child supine and pelvis stabilized, the goniometer axis was aligned with the lateral femoral condyle. The stationary arm was aligned with the greater trochanter, and the moving arm with the lateral malleolus. The child was instructed to actively extend the knee as far as possible, and the angle was recorded. Three measurements were taken, and the average was used for analysis |
| 2. Gross Motor Function | 12 weeks | Assessed using the Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88), a validated observational tool for children with CP. A blinded assessor, not involved in the intervention, scored the children's performance. The Gross Motor Functional Measurement-88 used to measure function. The GMFM is a standardized observational instrument designed and validated to measure change in gross motor function over time in children with cerebral palsy. The scoring key is meant to be a general guideline. However, most of the items have specific descriptors for each score. It is imperative that the guidelines contained in the manual be used for scoring each item. SCORING KEY 0 = does not initiate 1. = initiates 2. = partially completes 3. = completes |
Countries
Egypt
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORmostafa S ali, PhD
associate professor for pediatrics
Outcome results
None listed