Effects of Barefoot vs. Shod Whole Body Vibration Training in Children With Cerebral Palsy

"Conventional physical therapy program will include:~1. Stretching exercises (forearm pronators, ulnar deviators, shoulder internal rotators, hip flexors and adductors, and hamstring muscle groups)~2. Strengthening exercises (ankle dorsiflexors, knee extensors, and hip flexor muscle groups)~3. Posture exercises~4. Balance and proprioception exercises~5. Walking training, obstacle crossing training, stair climbing and descending exercises"

"Each WBVT session will consist of the following schedule: 3 minutes of WBVT- 2 minutes rest- 3 minutes of WBVT- 2 minutes rest- 3 minutes of WBVT- 2 minutes rest. Thus a treatment session will last 15 minutes in total. The participants will be barefoot. A specially designed walker will be used to provide support during WBVT for children who are unable to stand independently on the platform and. All exercises and WBVT sessions will be performed under the supervision of a physiotherapist and postural correction will be encouraged through visual feedback (the platform will be placed in front of a mirror) and verbal cueing. One set of WBVT along with the dynamic exercise program to be implemented on the platform is summarized below.~Stage 1: Semi-squat (knees flexed 10-45º) for 1 minute~Stage 2: Semi-squat +Calf raise for 1 minute~Stage 3: Triceps surae stretch for 1 minute"

"Each WBVT session will consist of the following schedule: 3 minutes of WBVT- 2 minutes rest- 3 minutes of WBVT- 2 minutes rest- 3 minutes of WBVT- 2 minutes rest. Thus a treatment session will last 15 minutes in total. The participants will wear everyday sports shoes. A specially designed walker will be used to provide support during WBVT for children who are unable to stand independently on the platform and. All exercises and WBVT sessions will be performed under the supervision of a physiotherapist and postural correction will be encouraged through visual feedback (the platform will be placed in front of a mirror) and verbal cueing. One set of WBVT along with the dynamic exercise program to be implemented on the platform is summarized below.~Stage 1: Semi-squat (knees flexed 10-45º) for 1 minute~Stage 2: Semi-squat +Calf raise for 1 minute~Stage 3: Triceps surae stretch for 1 minute"

"During Sham WBVT; the same exercises that the intervention groups will receive on the vibration platform will be performed on the platform for the same duration (3 days per week for 15 minutes each session, over a period of 4 weeks) without the platform being activated."