CAUTION: As with all exercise we need to make sure our girls are safe, so talk with her doctor and physical therapists to make sure your Rett Girl is strong enough for WBV therapy.
Vibration therapy has been used for thousands of years but has become more mainstreamed since 2001 when NASA started using it to combat muscle atrophy and loss of bone mass to astronauts when they are away from the pull of Earth's atmosphere. Since then, hundreds of studies have come out about the benefits of bone health and muscle strength, especially in seasoned athletes that have used the platform to increase muscle strength in a short amount of time and increasing bone density in the elderly population and others who are prone to osteoporosis.
What benefits have been seen with the WBV platform?
- increased muscle strength
- increased bone density
- increased flexibility
- increased circulation
- pain reduction
- increased lymphatic drain
- improved gait
- decreased spactisity
The benefits of WBV have been pretty clearly researched in both the elderly population and recently the research has stretched over to the pediatric population as well. Whats even more promising is that there is currently a study underway to see how the WBV platform can help children with mitochondrial respiratory chain disorder and Rett Syndrome! however, don't rush out and buy one until you have all the facts about them and how they can benefit your Rett Girl.
PLEASE NOTE: First, you need to choose a machine that is built for physical therapy rather than one that is built for athletic endurance. There IS a difference and you need to know about it because buying the wrong machine or using the right machine the wrong way can have detrimental effects on your Rett Girl.
The next thing you need to look for is the direction of the vibration. Some go up and down some go side to side. The machines that have been shown to improve gait and assist in walking have had an oscillating motion. An oscillating motion is when the platform moves up and down one side at a time mimicking a walking motion.
Amplitude refers to how far the platform moves when it's vibrating and is measured in millimeters. Look for machines with an amp of 10mm or less. The problem here is that many machines don't list their amplitude.
And finally there is a proper amount of time to be on the vibration platform to get the maximum results and stay safe. Just like frequency, more is not better! This is a good thing because you don't have to spend a lot of time to get the benefits. Most of the research has shown positive effects with just 10 minutes a day everyday. Make sure to start out very slow, just a minute or two per day to start out. Remember, this is exercise so don't over do it. Too much time on the vibration platform can cause muscle fatigue and weakness. If 10 minutes is too much for your Rett Girl at one time you can do 3 sets of 3 minutes each and still get the benefits.
There are LOTS of machines out there and the cost varies from $100 to more than $3,000 so you have to do your homework. We have found 1 machine that looks like it fits the bill, check it out HERE. This machine has 20 different levels, the low level offers 16.5 Hz frequency, has 0-10 mm amp, gives an oscillating vibration and costs $299. There are many other options out there as well!
Contraindications
People with seizure disorders need to be very cautious with WBV platforms because they could trigger seizures. This doesn't happen for everyone but you may want to try one out before you buy it to see if there is a trigger and definitely talk with your Rett Girl's neurologist to see if it's safe for her. Some have also experienced lower back pain while on the vibration platform, watch your Rett Girl closely to make sure she is not in any pain while on the machine. You may also want to talk with your Rett Girls physical medicine and rehab doctor, her orthitist and/or her orthopedic surgeon to make sure her body is strong enough for this kind of exercise
As with all exercise we need to make sure our girls are safe so talk with her doctor and physical therapists to make sure your Rett Girl is strong enough for WBV therapy.
References:
- http://www.comfitsolutions.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/WBV_-_Immobilized_Children.13002052.pdf
- http://www.orthometrix.net/downloads/article-35.pdf
- http://www.rehab.research.va.gov/jour/09/46/4/totosy_de_zepetnek.html
- http://www.chiroeco.com/chiropractic/news/12466/1688/aguide-to-whole-body-vibration-therapy/?skeyword=woggon
- http://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12609000315213.aspx
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