Vibration therapy protocol
sVT
sVT was performed on Galileo Basic vibration plates (Novotec Medical, Pforzheim, Germany) 4 days a week, for 9 minutes at a target frequency of either 20 Hz or 25 Hz, and amplitude 2–4 mm. During the sVT sessions, participants were instructed to stand barefoot on the vibration plate with knees bent at approximately 30 degrees, with their back straight, and arms free. Families were given the option to perform sVT sessions at school or at home. School-based sVT sessions were supervised by one of the investigators (AA) and/or school physiotherapists who were familiar with sVT and participants’ supervision specifications. Home-based sVT sessions were supervised by parents/caregivers, who had an instruction session with researchers before commencing sVT. To ensure safety and monitor progress, an investigator provided regular support to families via researcher-supervised sessions at home and by contacting families via phone/email. Participants and their parents/caregivers were asked to complete a VT diary, by recording sVT sessions, reasons for missing sessions, and side effects (if any).