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Results of a prospective pilot trial on mobility after whole body vibration in children and adolescents with osteogenesis imperfecta

date: 06/01/2008
author: Semler O, Fricke O, Vezyroglou K, Stark C, Stabrey A, Schoenau E.
publication: Clinical Rehabilitation, Vol. 22, No. 5, 387-394 (2008)
pubmed_ID: 18441035
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the effect of whole body vibration on the mobility of long-term immobilized children and adolescents with a severe form of osteogenesis imperfecta. Osteogenesis imperfecta is a hereditary primary bone disorder with a prevalence from 1 in 10000 to 1 in 20000 births. Most of these children are suffering from long-term immobilization after recurrent fractures. Due to the immobilization they are affected by loss of muscle (sarcopenia) and secondary loss of bone mass.

Subjects: Whole body vibration was applied to eight children and adolescents (osteogenesis imperfecta type 3, N=5; osteogenesis imperfecta type 4, N=3) over a period of six months.

Interventions and results: Whole body vibration was applied by a vibrating platform (Galileo Systems) constructed on a tilting-table. Success of treatment was assessed by measuring alterations of the tilting-angle and evaluating the mobility (Brief Assessment of Motor Function). All individuals were characterized by improved muscle force documented by an increased tilting-angle (median = 35 degrees) or by an increase in ground reaction force (median at start=30.0 [N/kg] (14.48?134.21); median after six months = 146.0 [N/kg] (42.46?245.25).

Conclusions: Whole body vibration may be a promising approach to improve mobility in children and adolescents severely affected with osteogenesis imperfecta.

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