This paper reports an experimental study to determine the possible effects of a music chair on people with cerebral palsy. The effect of vibroacoustic treatment was evaluated in a double-blind trial. Members of six matched pairs, aged 27 to 28 years, were randomly allocated to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received two weekly treatments with music plus vibroacoustic waves (low frequency sounds), and the control group received treatment with music alone. Before and after the nine-week project, individuals were videotaped performing gross and fine muscular movements. Four independent assessors evaluated each movement. Both groups improved their performances on the post-test evaluation. Although there was a tendency towards better performances within the experimental group, the differences were not significant (p > 0.05). No significant differences were found in results from the Nic Waals muscle test, pulse oximetry and drawing/writing tests. Although users found vibroacoustic treatment pleasant and some individuals showed short-term improvement, there was no unequivocal evidence to support anecdotal reports of beneficial effects from vibroacoustic treatment. Not only is further research needed in order to identify criteria for selecting clients who may benefit and describe protocols of treatment but, as demand commonly follows introduction of a new intervention, caution is advised until risk of adverse effects has been evaluated.

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