Eight weeks of focal muscle vibration shows improvements in muscle co-ordination and co-contraction in cerebral palsy children: a randomized control trial
Abstract
Background: Muscle spasticity, impaired coordination and fatigue are common in cerebral palsy (CP) children. This study investigated frequency-specific effects of focal muscle vibration (FMV) on neuromuscular activation, fatigue, and agonist-antagonist coordination. We hypothesized that 8 weeks of FMV would improve lower limb muscle activation, reduce fatigue, and optimize co-contraction compared to control, with differential effects between 80 and 100 Hz stimulation.
Methods: In a double-blind randomized controlled trial, 65 spastic diplegic CP children (GMFCS II-IV) were allocated to Control, 80 Hz, or 100 Hz FMV groups. Primary outcomes were EMG-derived muscle activation (RMS) and fatigue (median frequency; and fatigue index). Secondary outcomes included co-contraction index (CCI) between tibialis anterior (TA) and soleus (Sol). Assessments were conducted at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Linear mixed-effects models evaluated Group, Time, and Group × Time effects, with Bonferroni-corrected post-hoc comparisons.
Results: Significant group differences were observed primarily in the TA. In non-dominant leg, the 100 Hz group showed higher RMS compared to Control at 4 weeks (p = 0.027) and 8 weeks (p = 0.027) and compared to 80 Hz at 4 weeks (p = 0.045) and 8 weeks (p = 0.008). In dominant leg, 100 Hz also demonstrated higher RMS than Control at 8 weeks (p = 0.003). Fatigue analysis revealed significant time effects in soleus muscle (p ≤ 0.009), with 100 Hz group demonstrating…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design.
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