Introduction: Cerebral palsy is caused by brain damage in the early development and can result in various clinical pictures. Patients often have rigid and weak muscles, poor coordination and functional impairments. Spastic cerebral palsy develops if the lesion occurs in the cortex. In this type of cerebral palsy a large part of physical therapy is dedicated to normalising the muscle tone. The severity of motor impairment narrows the repertoire of applicable treatments, and in the recent years, whole-body vibration has often been used in patients with reduced active participation in therapy. Vibration causes tissue oscillation, which is a stimulus for the neuromuscular system. Vibrating platforms produce rotatory or vertical vibration, and intensity is determined by frequency and amplitude. Purpose: The purpose of this diploma work was to review research on the acute effects of a single application of whole-body vibration in children with cerebral palsy on muscle tone and temporal parameters of gait. Methods: We searched for studies in PubMed, PEDro, ScienceDirect and CINAHL databases. Results: Four articles, published between 2015 and 2017, were included. Samples included from 12 to 44 subjects. Two studies compared results to the control group, and two compared results of post-intervention measurements to pre-intervention measurements. A single application of whole-body vibration can reduce spasticity in plantar flexors (two studies), extensors of the knee (one study), and can increase active range of motion in the knee joint (two studies). A combination of whole-body vibration and passive stretching reduces spasticity of m. soleus better than passive stretching alone (one study). Gait velocity is increased immediately after application (one study). Effects on muscle tone are maintained for one to two hours (one study). One study assessed neurophysiologic responses through electromyography. Immediarely after application stretch reflex activity was reduced, latency, strength of leg muscles, ratio of voluntary and reflex activity were increased, and co-contraction was normalised. Discussion and conclusion: The reviewed research shows that a single application of whole-body vibration can reduce pathological reflex responses and improve the execution of voluntary movement. Due to its effect on spasticity and gait, it could be useful as preparation for therapy. Since existing studies are few and have included small sample sizes and different protocols and measuring tools, results can not be generalised. Further quality and methodologically superior research is needed.
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