Effect of Vibration Therapy on Shoulder Flexion Range of Motion in Children with Hemiparetic Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Background: Cerebral palsy affects a child's ability lead-ing to physical disability. Hemiparetic cerebral palsy has been shown to affect joints' range of motion. Vibration therapy was suggested to improve several musculoskeletal aspects in chil-dren with cerebral palsy. Aim of Study: To investigate the effect of vibration therapy on the shoulder joint range of motion in children with hemipa-retic cerebral palsy. Patients and Methods: This study included thirty children diagnosed with hemiparetic cerebral palsy of both sexes whose ages ranged from 3 to 6 years old with spasticity of grades 1 and 1+ according to the modified Ashworth' scale and gross ability of levels I and II according to the Gross Motor Function Classi-fication System. They were assigned into two equal groups; the control group received a designed physiotherapy program, and the study group received the same program asthe control group in addition to whole body vibration. Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in shoulder range of motion regarding the study group. Addi-tionally, there was a statistically significant difference between the control and study group post-treatment in favor of the study group. Conclusion: Vibration therapy was proven to have a benefi-cial effect on shoulder flexion range of motion in children with hemiparetic cerebral palsy.