Whole body vibration training in patients with COPD

Abstract

In recent years, several studies have shown that whole body vibration training (WBVT) may be a beneficial training mode in a variety of chronic diseases and conditions such as osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, or chronic low back pain. However, a systematic review on the effects of WBVT in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has not been performed yet. An extensive literature search was performed using various electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, LILACS, and PEDro). They were searched from inception until September 20, 2014, using key words like “COPD” and “whole body vibration training.” A total of 91 studies could be identified and were screened for relevance by two independent reviewers. Six studies were included in a qualitative analysis. Trials studied either the effects of WBVT versus an inactive control group, versus sham WBVT, during an acute COPD exacerbation or as a modality on top of conventional endurance and strength training. All randomized trials reported a significantly superior benefit on exercise capacity (6-minute walking distance) in favor of the WBVT group. Although there are only few studies available, there is some preliminary evidence that WBVT may be an effective exercise modality to improve functional exercise capacity in patients with COPD.

Cardiopulmonary response during whole-body vibration training in patients with severe COPD

“…In a recently published systematic review, our work group identified six studies (including 235 COPD patients) applying WBVT in different approaches and settings ( e.g. WBVT versus passive control group, WBVT on top of endurance and strength training, WBVT during acute exacerbation) [5]. It was concluded that WBVT seems to be superior in improving functional exercise capacity in comparison to conventional exercise strategies.…”

“…It was concluded that WBVT seems to be superior in improving functional exercise capacity in comparison to conventional exercise strategies. The underlying mechanisms of these benefits remain unclear but it is improvements in the neuromuscular system in particular that are speculated to cause these gains in exercise performance [5]. …”

Effects of complementary whole-body vibration training in patients after lung transplantation: A randomized, controlled trial

“…However, a recently published systematic review [10] has summarized that there seems to be a conclusive tendency that WBVT may be an effective and promising additional exercise method beyond traditional training regimes in patients with COPD to increase functional exercise capacity .…”

ERS International Congress 2017: a peek of outstanding abstracts from the clinical assembly

“…WBVT is an exercise modality inducing myoelectric stimulation by oscillatory vibrations to a subject standing on a vibrating platform (22). It is an efficacious mode of exercise training in patients with COPD that improves exercise capacity and lower limbs functional performance (23)(24)(25).…”