title: Effects of whole body vibration in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease--a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To date endurance and strength training are established and evidence-based exercise methods in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There is an unmet need for further research in new and complementary exercise modalities. Additional whole body vibration training during pulmonary rehabilitation may be such a new approach that has not yet been investigated in patients with COPD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-two patients (65 ± 9 yrs, FEV(1) pred. 38 ± 11%, female 51%) with COPD in GOLD stage III to IV assessed for a 3-week inpatient multidisciplinary rehabilitation program were on top randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups: (1) 3 × 3 min of bilateral dynamic squat exercises on a side-alternating vibration platform at 24-26 Hz three times per week (WBV) and (2) a control group (CON) with the same amount of exercise time without WBV.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-six patients completed the study in each group. The improvement in 6-min walking distance was significantly higher in the WBV-group when compared to the CON-group (WBV: 64 ± 59 m, CON: 37 ± 52 m with a between-group difference of 27 m [95% CI, 1-53], p = 0.046). The time required for a sit-to-stand test also decreased more markedly in the WBV-group than in the CON-group (WBV: -4.0 ± 4.8 s, CON: -2.0 ± 3.1 s with a between-group difference of -1.9 s [95% CI, -4.0 to 0.1], p = 0.067). Improvements in health-related quality of life were similar in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  WBV training seems to be a promising new exercise modality for patients with COPD and may enhance the effects of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program.
authors: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Schoen Klinik Hospital, Schoenau am Koenigssee, Germany. rainer.gloeckl@gmx.de
authors: Rainer
authors: R
authors: Gloeckl
authors: Inga
authors: I
authors: Heinzelmann
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: Baeuerle
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Damm
authors: Anna-Lena
authors: AL
authors: Schwedhelm
authors: Merve
authors: M
authors: Diril
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Buhrow
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Jerrentrup
authors: Klaus
authors: K
authors: Kenn
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011446:Prospective Studies; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000379:methods*; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014732:Vibration / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016138:Walking