Trakya University

Cerebral palsy (CP) refers to a group of lifelong conditions that affect the development of movement and coordination that lead to activity limitations due to damage to the developing fetal or neonatal brain tissue. Although the brain lesion is static, it can lead to progressive musculoskeletal system problems. As a result of the restriction of ankle joint range of motion and many microscopic changes in the muscle structure, plantar pressure distribution is impaired in children with CP which brings about gait and balance problems. Moreover, since physical activity may be restricted due to spasticity, poor motor control, muscle weakness and balance problems; the main goals in CP rehabilitation are normalization of muscle tone, improving walking function by increasing joint range of motion, strength and balance and consequently improving mobility.
There is a need for adjunctive treatment methods with low side effect profiles that can be applied in the long term to prevent musculoskeletal complications and preserve existing functions in children with CP. Whole body vibration training (WBVT), is a therapeutic exercise method that is growing in popularity due to its ease of application, low side effect profile and non-invasiveness as an auxiliary treatment method to traditional rehabilitation programs. Although WBVT is suggested as an easily applicable and safe treatment method with home-type vibration devices; scientific evidence is still lacking and it has not yet been included in routine rehabilitation programs due to the small number of high-quality randomized controlled trials. This study aims to determine the efficacy of barefoot vs. shod WBVT in addition to the conventional physiotherapy, compared to the conventional physiotherapy alone, in children with mild-moderate CP on pedobarographic evaluation, balance, endurance and lower extremity functions. As a result of this study, it might possible to offer children with CP an accessible, safe and helpful treatment method with established protocols.

The investigators hypothesize that a simple assessment of peripheral venous pressure (PVP) will better predict the diuretic need and long-term outcomes (all cause mortality, all cause rehospitalization, emergency department visits) compared to standard evaluation.

Survivors of childhood cancer need ongoing support to navigate their needs after cancer treatment. Using technology may offer us new ways to collect and share information about cancer survivorship follow-up with young survivors, their carers, and primary care providers.
Through the support of the Kids Cancer Project, in Phase 1 of this study, will co-design an electronic survivorship 'portal' that links young survivors with their cancer treatment information, and health care teams. In later Phases we will implement and evaluate the survivorship portal.