Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Growth and Development Disorders in Pediatrics

Objective: of this study was to investigate the effect of weight loss by whole body vibration on ventilatory functions in obese asthmatic children. Materials and Methods: Forty obese asthmatic children from both sexes aged from 8 to 12 years participated in this study. They were assigned randomly into two groups of equal number (group A and group B). Group A received balanced caloric diet and breathing exercises. Group B received the same balanced caloric diet and breathing exercises given to group A in addition to whole body vibration. The treatment program was conducted 3 sessions /week for 3 successive months. Anthropometric measures (measurement of body weight, height, body mass index , waist circumference, hip circumference and waist/hip ratio) and ventilatory functions measures (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC%, , PEFR) were evaluated before and after 3 months of treatment for both groups. Results: There was significant improvement of all measuring variables including anthropometric and ventilatory functions parameters in both groups after treatment (p<0.05).However, there was no significant difference between control and study groups after treatment (p<0.05) in all measured variables. Conclusion: The balanced caloric diet and breathing exercises were effective in decreasing body weight and BMI and improving ventilatory functions in obese asthmatic children

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