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

NCT07338812 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: P.T.REC/012/006030
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 50
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

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

Conditions

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)

Keywords

Virtual reality; whole-body vibration; muscle strength; balance; children; Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• balance

  Biodex Balance System (BBS) (BSS; Biodex, Inc, Shirley, NY) was used to evaluate each child's dynamic balance. It is a multiaxial tool that records and evaluates a person's capacity to maintain joint stability under dynamic stress. The BBS uses a circular platform that can move concurrently in the anterior-posterior and medial-lateral axes, unlike force plate technologies.

  12 weeks

• quadriceps muscle strength

  The Lafayette Manual Muscle Tester (MMT) Model Number 01163 combines accuracy and precision with contemporary ergonomic design to generate exact, impartial, and reliable results. The three replaceable, cushioned stirrups made it possible to employ established methods with assurance and effectiveness while preserving patient comfort

  12 weeks

Study Arms (2)

virtual reality

EXPERIMENTAL

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

Device: virtual reality

whole-body vibration

EXPERIMENTAL

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

Device: whole body vibration

Interventions

whole body vibration 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.

whole-body vibration

virtual reality 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.

virtual reality

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 6 Years - 10 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: muscular dystrophy predominantly affecting boys
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• 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)

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cairo University: lead

Study Sites (2)

Cairo university

Cairo, 11432, Egypt

Location

Cairo university

Giza, 11432, Egypt

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Muscular Dystrophies; Muscular Disorders, Atrophic; Muscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Genetic Diseases, X-Linked; Genetic Diseases, Inborn; Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: associate professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 4, 2026
• First Posted: January 14, 2026
• Study Start: April 11, 2025
• Primary Completion: May 20, 2025
• Study Completion: October 12, 2025
• Last Updated: January 14, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Locations

EG (2)