Retention of Whole-body Training Effects on Ambulatory Function in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Retention of Whole-body Training Effects on Ambulatory Function in Children With Cerebral Palsy

This study will evaluate the retention effects of a four-week whole-body vibration training intervention in children with Cerebral Palsy. The primary outcomes for this study are gait function, including Timed Up and Go and the two-minute walk test. Secondary outcomes of this study include lower extremity gait function, coordination, and gait variability. For this study, a total of 10 children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) will be recruited with 5 being randomly placed into an experimental group and 5 being randomly placed into a control group. Each participant, regardless of group, will complete pre-, post-, and retention testing, with a four-week whole-body vibration training intervention between the pre- and post-testing. The four-week whole-body vibration training will include three visits per week, with the experimental group receiving a vibration stimulus while standing on a vibration platform. Vibration sessions will consist of three-minutes of vibration, followed by three minutes rest, completing this cycle three separate times. The control group will follow a similar pattern, but rather than experiencing vibration, they will hear a sound of the vibration platform through a speaker. Once the four-week training session is finished, participants will return after a three-month retention period to determine whether ambulation function was retained.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy
• Ability to walk independently

Exclusion Criteria:

• Musculoskeletal injuries or conditions (other than Cerebral Palsy) which alter their independent walking ability