Abstract
This study investigated the effectiveness of whole-body vibration (WBV) training incorporated into a conventional physiotherapy (PT) program (WBV-assisted training) in improving blood flow in the lower limbs and range of motion in the lower limb joints of children with myelomeningocele (MMC). A total of 31 children with MMC (7–15 years old) underwent a 6 weeks treatment program consisting of 2 weeks of conventional PT followed by 4 weeks of WBV-assisted training. The assessment comprised two parts: evaluation of lower limb joint range of motion and Doppler ultrasonography of the superficial femoral, popliteal, and anterior tibial arteries and was performed three times for each of the participants (at baseline, after 10 sessions of PT but before WBV-assisted training, and after 20 sessions of WBV-assisted training). Our results showed that WBV-assisted training significantly improved lower limb circulation in patients with MMC, increasing velocity and reducing resistivity in all tested arteries. Moreover, WBV-assisted training alleviated lower-extremity contractures, especially of the knee. Thus, WBV-assisted training is effective as an adjunctive rehabilitation program for improving functional mobility in children with MMC.
Highlights
Spinal cord malformation is a congenital defect caused by the incomplete closure of one or more vertebral arches during the first few weeks of gestation (Sandler, 2010)
The present study investigated the effectiveness of whole-body vibration (WBV) training applied in conjunction with conventional PT in improving blood flow in the lower limbs and range of motion (ROM) of lower limb joints in children with MMC
The study was designed based on the assumption that differences in Doppler indices and ROM measurements between baseline and after 2 weeks of conventional PT intervention reflect the effects of conventional PT intervention alone on blood flow in the lower limbs and limb muscle contracture, whereas differences in these values before and after WBVassisted training reflect the effects of 4 weeks of PT combined with WBV training
Summary
Spinal cord malformation is a congenital defect caused by the incomplete closure of one or more vertebral arches during the first few weeks of gestation (Sandler, 2010). The symptoms of MMC vary widely, they usually include defects in the innervation of the lower limb and spinal muscles below the spinal cord injury and secondary effects such as lower limb paralysis and paresis, as well as spine and lower limb joint deformities that restrict movement or cause disability Compared with their able-bodied peers, adolescents, and young adults with MMC have a significantly lower level of daily physical activity, lower aerobic fitness, and higher body fat percentage (Buffart et al, 2008b), which are the most serious risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease later in life and are observed more frequently in MMC patients than in the general population (Buffart et al, 2008a,b)
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