Virtual Reality and Whole Body Vibration on Muscle Strength and Balance in Children With DMD

NCT ID: NCT07338812

Last Updated: 2026-01-14

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 50 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-04-11
• Study Completion Date: 2025-10-12

Brief Summary

we measure balance and quadriceps strength in Duchenne muscular dystrophy children after applying virtual reality and whole body vibration

Detailed Description

Two groups of fifty children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, aged 6 to 10, were randomly assigned after being selected from the outpatient clinic of faculty of physical therapy, Cairo University. Both groups (A and B) participated in physical treatment for three consecutive months; group (A) had designed physical therapy in addition to virtual reality, whereas group (B) had the same physical therapy program with whole-body vibration three times per week.

Conditions

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

virtual reality

group (A) had designed physical therapy in addition to virtual reality

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

virtual reality

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Group (A) had designed physical therapy in form of Warm up with gentle stretching movements to prevent injuries. The lower limb muscles on both sides were stretched for 20 seconds, followed by 20 seconds of relaxation, five times. The quadriceps, hamstrings, anterior tibial group, calf muscles, biceps, and triceps were also contracted isometrically. Every muscle contraction was held for 5 seconds, followed by 5 seconds of relaxation, and the process was repeated five times in addition to virtual reality inform of VR program. Nintendo Wii Fit Balance Board (Nintendo, Kyoto, Japan) was used to perform the exercises. In each session, VR was used for a total of 10 minutes three times per week for three consecutive months.

whole-body vibration

group (B) had the same physical therapy program with whole-body vibration

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

whole body vibration

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Group (B) had the same physical therapy program with WBV (Power Plate Pro 5) for a total of 10 minutes per session. The apparatus was set at 30 Hz frequency, 2 mm amplitude, and 5 minutes of operating time. The children were squatted down completely on a vibrating, side-alternating platform and were told to stay that way throughout the experience, communicating any pain they felt to the researchers. The vibration feature automatically shuts off after 5 minutes. After that, the children took a one-minute break. Then, with the same settings as those used in the squatting position, children stood on the vibration platform for 5 minutes. In each session, WBV was used for a total of 10 minutes three times per week for three consecutive months.

Interventions

virtual reality

Group (A) had designed physical therapy in form of Warm up with gentle stretching movements to prevent injuries. The lower limb muscles on both sides were stretched for 20 seconds, followed by 20 seconds of relaxation, five times. The quadriceps, hamstrings, anterior tibial group, calf muscles, biceps, and triceps were also contracted isometrically. Every muscle contraction was held for 5 seconds, followed by 5 seconds of relaxation, and the process was repeated five times in addition to virtual reality inform of VR program. Nintendo Wii Fit Balance Board (Nintendo, Kyoto, Japan) was used to perform the exercises. In each session, VR was used for a total of 10 minutes three times per week for three consecutive months.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

whole body vibration

Group (B) had the same physical therapy program with WBV (Power Plate Pro 5) for a total of 10 minutes per session. The apparatus was set at 30 Hz frequency, 2 mm amplitude, and 5 minutes of operating time. The children were squatted down completely on a vibrating, side-alternating platform and were told to stay that way throughout the experience, communicating any pain they felt to the researchers. The vibration feature automatically shuts off after 5 minutes. After that, the children took a one-minute break. Then, with the same settings as those used in the squatting position, children stood on the vibration platform for 5 minutes. In each session, WBV was used for a total of 10 minutes three times per week for three consecutive months.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• children diagnosed with DMD
• aged between 6 and 10 years
• having lower extremities and trunk muscle strength of grade 3+
• were able to move their upper and lower limbs normally and being able to walk unhindered at levels I and II of the Ambulation function classification system for DMD (AFCSD)

Exclusion Criteria

• cardiopulmonary dysfunction or skeletal abnormalities that are either congenital or acquired
• had previously experienced lower limb surgical procedure
• had neurological conditions that affected their balance and gait or had poor motor development
• exhibited behavioural disorders preventing them from cooperating during the trial
• being overweight (body mass index (BMI) >25 kg/ m2) because a lot of fat makes it hard for the ultrasound to measure thickness

• Minimum Eligible Age: 6 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 10 Years
• Eligible Sex: MALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Cairo University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Mostafa S Ali

associate professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Cairo university

Cairo, , Egypt

Cairo university

Giza, , Egypt

Countries

Egypt

Other Identifiers

P.T.REC/012/006030

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id