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Results of a prospective pilot trial on mobility after whole body vibration in children and adolescents with osteogenesis imperfecta

Children's Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany

Oliver Fricke

Children's Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany

Katharina Vezyroglou

Children's Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany

Christina Stark

Children's Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany

Angelika Stabrey

Children's Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany

Eckhard Schoenau

Children's Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany, eckhard.schoenau{at}uk-koeln.de

Objective: To evaluate the effect of whole body vibration on the mobility of long-term immobilized children and adolescents with a severe form of osteogenesis imperfecta. Osteogenesis imperfecta is a hereditary primary bone disorder with a prevalence from 1 in 10000 to 1 in 20000 births. Most of these children are suffering from long-term immobilization after recurrent fractures. Due to the immobilization they are affected by loss of muscle (sarcopenia) and secondary loss of bone mass.

Subjects: Whole body vibration was applied to eight children and adolescents (osteogenesis imperfecta type 3, N=5; osteogenesis imperfecta type 4, N=3) over a period of six months.

Interventions and results: Whole body vibration was applied by a vibrating platform (Galileo Systems) constructed on a tilting-table. Success of treatment was assessed by measuring alterations of the tilting-angle and evaluating the mobility (Brief Assessment of Motor Function). All individuals were characterized by improved muscle force documented by an increased tilting-angle (median = 35 degrees) or by an increase in ground reaction force (median at start=30.0 [N/kg] (14.48—134.21); median after six months = 146.0 [N/kg] (42.46—245.25).

Conclusions: Whole body vibration may be a promising approach to improve mobility in children and adolescents severely affected with osteogenesis imperfecta.

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