ESPE Abstracts

Introduction: Osteogenesis imperfecta is a rare disease leading to immobility by recurrent fractures, hyperlaxicity of ligaments, short stature and muscular weakness. Beside drug treatment and surgical procedures physiotherapy is one of the most important treatment approaches to increase mobility. The objective of our analysis was to evaluate the effect of a new standardized 12 months physiotherapy concept including whole body vibration over 6 months on motor function and bone mineral density in children with osteogenesis imperfecta.

Description of methods/design: In a retrospective data analysis 37 children (24 male; mean age: 8.57 years, bisphosphonate treatment n=30; OI type 1 n=3; OI type 3 n=12; OI type 4 n=22) were analyzed. The 12 months concept included a period of 6 months of whole body vibration and concomitant physiotherapy, resistance training and treadmill training. The concept is structured in two in-patient stays and two periods of 3 months home-based vibration training. Primary outcome parameter was the Gross Motor Function Measure before and after 12 months. iDXA (GE) was used to analyze muscle and bone parameters.

Results: A significant increase of gross motor function between start and after 12 months was seen (GMFM66 score (mean±S.E.M.) 54.48±2.41 vs 57.59±2.77; P=0.0007). Bone mineral content and lean mass (total body less head (g corrected for cm body height)) increased significantly from 2.08±0.3 to 2.54±0.33 and 0.1027±0.0053 to 0.1072±0.006 (P<0.0001 and 0.0013), respectively. Height (S.D.) and BMI (S.D.) did not change significantly after 12 months.

Conclusions: The physiotherapy concept including whole body vibration leads to a significant improvement on gross motor function, lean mass and bone mineral content in children with Osteogenesis imperfecta. Therefore this therapeutic approach should be considered as part of an integrated treatment concept in children with OI.