Local Vibration for Drooling in Children With Cerebral Palsy

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

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.

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.

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%