title: Whole-Body Vibration Training During a Low Frequency Outpatient Exercise Training Program in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the study was to investigate whether whole-body vibration training (WBVT) can be applied beneficially within an outpatient low frequency exercise program.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective, controlled, randomized study, WBVT effectiveness and safety were investigated in COPD stage II-IV patients undergoing a 3-month training program. Participants took part in a 90-min circuit training once a week. On top patients were randomized to either perform squats with WBVT, or without (conventional training group (CTG)). Before and after the intervention, a sit-to-stand test (STST), a 6-min walk test (6-MWT), the COPD assessment test (CAT), and the chronic respiratory disease questionnaire (CRQ) were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-eight out of 55 patients completed the study (n = 12 WBTV, n = 16 CTG). The STST time remained nearly constant for the CTG (Δ -0.8 ± 3.1 s) and the WBVT (Δ 1.4 ± 3.2 s; P = 0.227), respectively. Similarly, for both WBVT and CTG, the 6-min walk distance remained unchanged (Δ 7 ± 55 m vs. 9 ± 45 m, P = 0.961). In three out of four categories, the CRQ scores showed a significant improvement within WBVT, and in one category when comparing across groups. The CAT score dropped by -0.8 ± 2.9 points within CTG and by 2.4 ± 2.7 points within WBVT (P = 0.105). There were no adverse events related to WBVT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The implementation of WBVT in the context of an outpatient low frequency exercise program did not significantly improve the patients' exercise capacity. An improvement in CAT and partially in CRQ was shown within WBVT. However, regarding the high dropout rate (49%), these results must be interpreted with caution.
authors.affiliation: Medical Clinic and Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Leverkusen (April), Remigius Hospital, Leverkusen, Opladen, Germany; Faculty of Health, Department of Pneumology, University of Witten/Herdecke, Germany; These authors contributed equally to this study.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spielmanns
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine & Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Schoen Klinik Berchtesgadener Land, Schoenau am, Koenigssee, Germany; Department of Prevention, Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universitat Munchen (TUM), Munic, Germany; These authors contributed equally to this study.
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gloeckl
authors.affiliation: Medical Clinic and Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Leverkusen (April), Remigius Hospital, Leverkusen, Opladen, Germany.
authors.forename: Jana Marie
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gropp
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Phillips University Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nell
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Phillips University Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Andreas Rembert
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Koczulla
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Phillips University Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Boeselt
authors.affiliation: Department of Pneumology, Cologne Merheim Hospital, Kliniken der Stadt Koeln GmbH, Germany; Department of Pneumology, University Hospital, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Jan Hendrik
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Storre
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, Department of Pneumology, University of Witten/Herdecke, Germany; Department of Pneumology, Cologne Merheim Hospital, Kliniken der Stadt Koeln GmbH, Germany.
authors.forename: Wolfram
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Windisch
keywords: 6-min walk test; COPD; Exercise training; Pulmonary rehabilitation; Sit-to-stand test; Whole-body vibration training