Osteogenesis Imperfecta and Balance

Efficacy of Whole Body Vibration on Balance and Motor Control in Children With Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), also known as brittle bone disease, is a group of genetic disorders that mainly affect the bones. It results in bones that break easily. Its severity may be mild to severe. Other symptoms may include a blue tinge to the whites of the eye, short height, loose joints, hearing loss, breathing problems and problems with the teeth. Physiotherapy is aimed to strengthen muscles and improve motility in a gentle manner, while minimizing the risk of fracture, and the use of support cushions to improve posture.

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of Whole Body Vibration on balance and motor function in children with Osteogenesis Imperfecta. Whole body vibration (WBV) therapy is targeted at musculoskeletal strengthening and has been trialed in a variety of conditions. WBV has been shown to have therapeutic advantage in various osteopenic preclinical models and populations such as postmenopausal women (improved mobility, muscle strength, postural strength, and bone density) and children with osteogenesis imperfecta (improved mobility)

G 1 (control) received traditional physical therapy program for 30 min. G 2 (study) received traditional physical therapy program for 15 min. and Whole Body Vibration for 15 min

Double (Participant, Investigator) Single (Outcomes Assessor) Blinding process to participants and care providers was impossible due to the nature of intervention therapy. Data were analyzed by an impartial statistician (outcomes assessor), referring to each arm with an encoded name: Group 1 (control group) and Group 2 (Whole Body Vibration group).

Group 1 the control group received selected physical therapy program which contain strengthening exercises for upper limb and lower limb muscles, stretching exercises for elbow extensors, hand pronator, wrist extensors, knee extensors and ankle dorsiflexors, coordination and balancing exercises.

Group 2 the study group received the same physical therapy program 15 min. plus Whole Body Vibration for 15 min.

Inclusion Criteria: Their age was ranging from six to twelve years Children participated in this study were from both sexes All children with stable medical and psychological status. They were able to follow the verbal commands or instructions during testing. Exclusion Criteria: Children with visual or auditory problems. Children with any cognitive problems. Children without deformity

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