Effect of intrathoracic oscillations on pulmonary functions in children with cerebral palsy

OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed at investigating the effects of intrathoracic oscillations on pulmonary function in children with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. METHODS: This study comprised 24 boys and girls 6–8 years of age with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. According to the modified Ashworth scale, the degree of spasticity was 2 to 2+. The children were able to sit independently and follow instructions. The children were randomly divided into a study group and control group. A spirometer was used to examine each child before and after 6 weeks. Children in the control group received traditional chest physiotherapy (postural drainage and percussion), whereas children in the study group underwent quake device training. For 6 weeks, both groups received four sessions per week. After treatment, the results were collected. Paired t-test and independent-samples t-test were applied to compare the means for each group. p-values <0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: The post-treatment results of forced expiratory volume at 1 s, peak expiratory flow, forced vital capacity, and the ratio of forced expiratory volume at 1 s to forced vital capacity demonstrated significant differences favoring the study group over the control group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.002, and p = 0.023, respectively). CONCLUSION: Intrathoracic oscillations may improve pulmonary function in children with quadriplegic cerebral palsy.