Effect of Vibratory Inhibition and Pelvic Stabilization Exercise on Tone, Balance and Gross Motor Function in Spastic Cerebral Palsy- A Comparative Study

Abstract

Objectives: Cerebral palsy is one of the leading causes of movement and posture disorders. Recently, Vibration therapy as a treatment method in clinical practice has been used as a complementary approach. This study compared the effects of Segmental Muscle Vibration and Pelvic Stabilization Exercises on Muscle Tone, Balance, and Gross Motor Function in spastic CP children. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy, of both sexes (age range of 4-6 years) were included in the study. The Children were assigned into two groups.  Group A received Segmental Muscle Vibration along with conventional treatment i.e. Passive Stretching Exercise and Group B received Pelvic Stabilization Exercise along with conventional treatment for 40 minute, 3 times a week for 3 weeks. Outcome measures include Modified Ashworth Scale, Pediatric Balance Scale and Gross Motor Function Measure-88 for measuring Tone (spasticity), Balance and Gross Motor Function. Results: A significant improvement in all variables (p < 0.05) was observed in each group, with greater improvement in tone, balance and gross function indices in group A. Conclusion: From the results we concluded that both the Segmental Vibration Inhibition Therapy and Pelvic Stabilization exercise yielded a clinically significant improvement in spastic CP; but Segmental Vibration Inhibition Therapy shows more improvement in reduction in tone, improvement in balance and gross motor function.