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Local Vibration for Drooling in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Effects of Local Vibration on Orofacial Muscle Tone and Drooling in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07626424
Enrollment
20
Registered
2026-06-04
Start date
2026-06-15
Completion date
2026-08-27
Last updated
2026-06-16

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Keywords

Drooling, Local vibration

Brief summary

This randomized-controlled trial evaluates local vibration therapy for drooling and orofacial muscle biomechanics in children with cerebral palsy. Participants receive either local vibration plus conventional physiotherapy or sham vibration plus conventional physiotherapy.

Detailed description

This randomized-controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of local vibration therapy on drooling severity and perioral and submandibular muscle biomechanics in children with cerebral palsy. Participants will be allocated to either an experimental group receiving local vibration in addition to conventional physiotherapy or a control group receiving sham vibration with conventional physiotherapy. Local vibration will be applied to the perioral and submandibular regions for 5 minutes each over three consecutive days. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, immediately after the third intervention session, and at 1-week follow-up.

Interventions

Local vibration therapy will be applied to the perioral and submandibular regions using a vibration device for 5 minutes each (total 10 minutes per session), once daily for three consecutive days.

Sham vibration will be administered using the same device without contact with the skin. The intervention will be delivered for 10 minutes per session, once daily for three consecutive days.

Sponsors

Bitlis Eren University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
2 Years to 18 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Diagnosis of cerebral palsy * Age between 2 and 18 years * Presence of anterior drooling * Drooling severity and frequency score ≥ 3 on a standardized drooling scale

Exclusion criteria

* History of surgical intervention for drooling management * History of botulinum toxin injection for drooling management * Use of medications affecting salivary control * Presence of progressive neurological disease * Presence of salivary gland pathology or active upper respiratory tract infection * History or symptoms of aspiration pneumonia within the last 6 months * Indication for surgical treatment of drooling (e.g., more than four clothing changes per day and presence of chin or neck dermatitis) * Uncontrolled seizures * Presence of oral or perioral lesions * Presence of gastrostomy tube * Treatment adherence below 85%

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Muscle ToneBaseline, immediately after the third intervention session, and 1-week follow-upMuscle tone of the perioral and submandibular muscles (orbicularis oris and anterior digastric muscles) will be evaluated using a portable hand-held myotonometer (MyotonPRO). The MyotonPRO applies a short mechanical impulse to the skin overlying the muscle or fascia. The tissue response generates a signal that is recorded, and the internal software produces an acceleration graph.
Muscle StiffnessBaseline, immediately after the third intervention session, and 1-week follow-upMuscle stiffness of the perioral and submandibular muscles (orbicularis oris and anterior digastric muscles) will be evaluated using a portable hand-held myotonometer (MyotonPRO). The MyotonPRO applies a short mechanical impulse to the skin overlying the muscle or fascia. The tissue response generates a signal that is recorded, and the internal software produces an acceleration graph.
Muscle Elasticity (logarithmic decrement)Baseline, immediately after the third intervention session, and 1-week follow-upMuscle elasticity of the perioral and submandibular muscles (orbicularis oris and anterior digastric muscles) will be evaluated using a portable hand-held myotonometer (MyotonPRO). The MyotonPRO applies a short mechanical impulse to the skin overlying the muscle or fascia. The tissue response generates a signal that is recorded, and the internal software produces an acceleration graph.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in drooling severity and frequencyBaseline, immediately after the third intervention session, and 1-week follow-upDrooling severity and frequency will be assessed using a standardized drooling scale, with severity scored from 1 (no drooling) to 5 (severe drooling) and frequency scored from 1 (no drooling) to 4 (constant drooling)
Global Rating of Change ScaleImmediately after the third intervention session and 1-week follow-upParent-reported global rating of change using the Global Rating of Change Scale. Scores range from -7 (very much worse) to +7 (very much improved), with higher scores indicating greater perceived improvement.
Caregiver-reported drooling burdenBaseline, immediately after the third intervention session, and 1-week follow-upCaregivers will report the frequency of clothing changes and use of tissues related to drooling.

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Contacts

CONTACTMerve Tunçdemir, Asst. Prof.
merve.kd@hotmail.com5069452008
CONTACTÖmer Dursun, Assoc. Prof.
fztomrdrsn@gmail.com5426088687
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORMerve Tunçdemir, Asst. Prof.

Bitlis Eren University

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORÖmer Dursun, Assoc. Prof.

Bitlis Eren University

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Jun 17, 2026