Influence of Single Whole Body Vibration Training Unit on Kinematics of Human Gait in Children with Neurological Disorders

Abstract

Utilisation of Whole body vibration (WBV) has been considered as a beneficial and powerful method to improve mobility and physical status of the patients during past decade. Benefits that were already published include enhanced muscular strength, power or bone density. However, there were also no significant effects reported in several clinical studies. The main aim of this pilot study was to investigate immediate effects of single WBV training unit on quality of gait kinematics in children patients suffering from neurological disorders. Five children (4.10 ± 1.75 years, 1 male and 4 females) were assessed before WBV exposure (10 minutes, 2 mm vertical vibrations, 30 Hz) and then 1 minute afterwards. Individual changes in gait parameters were analysed and the results indicated significant positive effects of WBV in two patients. Other two patients registered positive changes, but these changes were not statistically significant. One of the patients included in this pilot study registered worsening of gait symmetry.

Keywords

• gait analysis
• whole-body vibration
• rehabilitation