Effect of whole-body vibration therapy at different frequencies on upper extremities motor function in children with spastic cerebral palsy

ZHANG Qiu; ZHANG Chi; LI Weiping; YU Jihua; DU Xinping; WANG Jianxiong

doi:10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-1250

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Chinese Journal of Child Health Care ›› 2025, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (12) : 1367-1371. DOI: 10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-1250

Effect of whole-body vibration therapy at different frequencies on upper extremities motor function in children with spastic cerebral palsy

ZHANG Qiu^1,2,3, ZHANG Chi¹, LI Weiping¹, YU Jihua¹, DU Xinping¹, WANG Jianxiong¹

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Abstract

Objective To compare the effects of whole-body vibration training (WBVT) at different frequencies on upper limb motor function and activities of daily living (ADL) in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP), in order to provide evidence for rehabilitation strategies. Methods A total of 91 children with spastic CP (aged 6 - 12 years) from the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University were enrolled between December 2023 and October 2024.Participants were randomly assigned to four groups: control group (n=23), 10Hz group (n=22), 15Hz group (n=24), and 20Hz group (n=22).All groups received conventional rehabilitation training, while the 10Hz, 15Hz, and 20Hz groups additionally underwent WBVT at their respective frequencies for 6 weeks.Outcomes were assessed pre- and post-intervention using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Carroll Upper Extremity Function Test (UE-FT), and Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM). Results After 6 weeks of treatment, significant differences were observed among the four groups in MAS scores (F=8.014), UE-FT scores (F=15.737), and WeeFIM scores (F=17.525) (P<0.05).Post-hoc LSD tests revealed that the 10Hz, 15Hz, and 20Hz groups showed superior outcomes compared to the control group, with the 20Hz group demonstrating the most significant improvements (P<0.05). Conclusions Conventional rehabilitation combined with WBVT can reduce upper limb muscle tone, improve motor function, and enhance ADL in children with spastic CP.Notably, WBVT at 20Hz appears to be the most effective frequency.

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whole body vibration / spastic cerebral palsy / upper extremities function / activity daily living

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ZHANG Qiu, ZHANG Chi, LI Weiping, YU Jihua, DU Xinping, WANG Jianxiong. Effect of whole-body vibration therapy at different frequencies on upper extremities motor function in children with spastic cerebral palsy[J]. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care. 2025, 33(12): 1367-1371 https://doi.org/10.11852/zgetbjzz2024-1250

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