Whole Body Vibration or Virtual Reality on Muscle Strength and Activity of Daily Living in Children With Burn: A Comparative Trial.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVE

Mobility is a significant problem for burn children, especially their quality of life, since burn injury affects their capacity to participate in daily activities. The aim was to compare between the effect of two proprioceptive stimulations on quadriceps strength and daily activity in children with burns.

METHODS

Forty children, aged six to 12, with unilateral thermal burns divided into two equal groups (I and II) randomly. Group I received a whole-body vibration (WBV) plus conventional physical treatment. Group II received a Wii-fit therapy program in addition to the same for 2 months for both groups. Using the Physical Self Maintenance Scale (PSMS) for daily living activities and a dynamometer to measure quadriceps muscular strength before treatment and after 1 and 2 months.

RESULTS

A significant increase in quadriceps strength and the physical self-maintenance scale after the first month, and after the second month when compared to both pretreatment and the first month. Between groups I and II, there was no discernible change after the first or second month.

IMPLICATION FOR PHYSIOTHERAPY PRACTICE: Whole body vibration and virtual reality are equally successful in helping children with thermal burns improve quadriceps strength and daily living activities.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical trial approval ID was NCT06473311.