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Whole-body vibration in children with disabilities demonstrates therapeutic potentials for pediatric cancer populations: a systematic review

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Abstract

Purpose

Low levels of physical activity often observed in pediatric oncology might be attributed to various functional deficits, especially those of the lower limbs as these affect gait, mobility, and, consequently, physical activity. In the past few years, whole-body vibration (WBV) has emerged as a new therapy modality for improving physical functioning. Although WBV is increasingly applied in children with disabilities, its impact on lower limb function in pediatric cancer patients and survivors has not yet been investigated.

Methods

To establish whether there is evidence that WBV may be beneficial for pediatric cancer patients and survivors, this review summarizes current data on WBV studies among children with disabilities and extracts relevant information for the pediatric cancer population. Two independent reviewers performed a systematic literature search following the PRISMA guidelines.

Results

Nine studies were included in the analysis. Results demonstrate that WBV is a safe, highly compliant, and effective approach in cohorts of children with disabilities. The largest effects of WBV were observed in lower extremity muscle mass and strength, balance control, gait, and walking ability. Furthermore, we were able to develop first recommendations for WBV protocols.

Conclusions

WBV seems to be feasible and effective for improving parameters that may be relevant to the pediatric cancer population. Efforts are needed to conduct first WBV interventions in children with cancer proving the effects. The developed recommendations for WBV protocols might help to implement these intervention studies.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Moritz Schumann for his help in proofreading and editing the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Cardiovascular Research and Sports Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany

    Vanessa Rustler, Julia Däggelmann, Fiona Streckmann & Wilhelm Bloch

  2. Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland

    Fiona Streckmann

  3. Department 1 of Internal Medicine, Center for Integrated Oncology Cologne/Bonn, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany

    Freerk T. Baumann

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  1. Vanessa Rustler
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  2. Julia Däggelmann
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  3. Fiona Streckmann
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  4. Wilhelm Bloch
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  5. Freerk T. Baumann
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Correspondence to Vanessa Rustler.

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The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Moreover, the authors have no final relationships to declare. The authors allow the journal to review the used data if required.

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Vanessa Rustler and Julia Däggelmann share the first authorship as they contributed equally to this paper.

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Rustler, V., Däggelmann, J., Streckmann, F. et al. Whole-body vibration in children with disabilities demonstrates therapeutic potentials for pediatric cancer populations: a systematic review. Support Care Cancer 27, 395–406 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-018-4506-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-018-4506-5

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