Motion Therapy Promising for Children with Cerebral Palsy

A pilot study examining the effects of “dynamic motion” therapy shows promise for children with cerebral palsy, who do not build bones or muscles as strong as their peers because of limited mobility.

“A lot of kids with cerebral palsy can't do vigorous exercise therapy,” said biomechanical engineer Tishya Wren, who is leading the study at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

New technology, however, may be able to help children with cerebral palsy get the vigorous exercise they need to fortify their bones and muscles.

Dynamic motion therapy, also called vibration therapy, uses super-high frequency, low-force stimulation to help increase bone density and improve muscle mass.

Bone bioengineer Clinton Rubin developed a machine that looks similar to a bathroom scale but vibrates at 30 hertz to simulate normal muscle vibration that ranges between 20 and 50 hertz.

A study conducted in children with cerebral palsy who used Rubin's technology showed a 6 percent increase in bone density compared with a 12 percent loss in those who did not. Equally as important is the ability of the technique to successfully slow bone loss.

Dr. Vicente Gilsanz, also at the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, saw a benefit for muscles too – a participant in a study he conducted on young women experienced a 5 percent increase in muscle mass.

So far, researchers are optimistic about the implications of this new technology. The Food and Drug Administration has already deemed the machine safe for use. All researchers have to do now is continue to prove its medical effectiveness.

Contact a cerebral palsy lawyer who may be able to help you obtain compensation to help cover the cost of therapy.