Whole-body vibration training increases physical measures and quality of life in patients with moderate COPD. - GreenMedInfo Summary

The whole-body vibration training (WBVT) has been identified as an alternative intervention to improve exercise capacity and quality of life of patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). However, the effect of WBVT on inflammatory-oxidative biomarkers remains unknown. The aim of this trial was to investigate the effects of WBVT on quality of life and physical and inflammatory-oxidative parameters in patients with COPD. Twenty patients were equally divided into: 1) intervention group (IG) that performed the WBVT, and 2) control group (CG) that did not receive any intervention. Intervention consisted in performing static squatting on vibrating platform, in six series of 30 seconds, 3 d.wk, for 12 weeks. Patients were evaluated for: plasma levels of IL-6, IL-8, IFN-ɣ, soluble receptors of TNF-α; white cells count; plasma levels of oxidant and antioxidant markers; the 6-minute walking distance (6MWD); peak oxygen uptake (VOpeak); handgrip strength; quality of life; timed 5-chair sit-to-stand (5STS) and timed get-up and go test (TUG). After WBVT, patients from IG showed significant increase in the 6MWD, VOpeak and handgrip strength (p<0.05). Furthermore, patients from IG reached minimal clinically important difference regarding quality of life. No significant differences were found in 5STS, TUG, inflammatory-oxidative biomarkers and white cells count in the IG. CG did not show significant improvement in all assessments (p>0.05). Taking together, our results demonstrated that the WBVT induced clinically significant benefits regarding exercise capacity, muscle strength and quality of life in patients with COPD, that were not related to inflammatory-oxidative biomarkers changes.