title: Efficacy of a whole-body vibration intervention to effect exercise tolerance and functional performance of the lower limbs of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a respiratory condition characterised by dyspnoea, excessive sputum production, chronic cough, bronchitis and emphysema. Functionally, exercise tolerance is poor for people with COPD and is linked to difficulty in performing daily tasks. More specifically, exercise difficulties are due partly to dyspnoea and lower limb skeletal muscle dysfunction. The benefit of exercise that does not exacerbate the disease while improving exercise tolerance is salient. Whole-body vibration (WBV) is a mode of physical activity known to improve muscular function of the lower limbs, yet efficacy has not been investigated for a WBV intervention conducted in a home-based setting for people with COPD.
  
  
  METHODS
  This clinically registered trial is a non-randomised placebo cross-over intervention based in the home of each participant (ACTRN12612000508875). Participants diagnosed with COPD will complete a six-week WBV intervention and then after a two-week washout period, will complete a six-week placebo training intervention. Participants will complete sessions twice a week. The duration of the trial is 14 weeks. Community-dwelling older adults with COPD will provide informed voluntary consent to participate. Outcome measures will include immediate, acute, and long-term responses to exercise.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Quantifying responses to WBV among people with COPD will allow discussion of efficacy of WBV as a mode of physical activity. The skill required by the participant to perform physical activity with WBV is not demanding and may enhance habitual sustainability. The results of this trial could be used to support further research in both clinical and community settings.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR12612000508875).
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Monash University, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Australia. trentham.furness@monash.edu
authors.forename: Trentham
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Furness
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bate
authors.forename: Liam
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Welsh
authors.forename: Geraldine
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Naughton
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lorenzen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014732:Vibration / Q000627:therapeutic use*