Vibrotherapy versus standard balance training in patients with severe COPD
Whole-body vibration training (WBVT) has great potential in the rehabilitation of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), positively affecting physical fitness. This may be due to the beneficial action on balance. This hypothesis was tested by German scientists from the University of Marburg, the Technical University of Munich and the Schön Klinik Berchtesgadener Land, comparing the effect of WBVT with conventional balance exercises on the COPD patients physical performance.
- Balance did not improve significantly in any of the tests in the control group, while it improved significantly after vibrotherapy.
- The jump in the opposite direction improved much more in favor of the WBVT group (+2.3 vs -0.1 W/kg).
- The walking speed at 4 m increased significantly only in the WBVT group (0.08 vs 0.01 m/s2).
- Walking performance during 6-MWT increased similarly in both groups.
Prepared on the basis of:
Whole-body vibration training versus conventional balance training in patients with severe COPD-a randomized, controlled trial. Gloeckl R, Schneeberger T, Leitl D et al. Respir Res. 2021 May 4;22(1):138.
Study population
The study included 48 patients with severe COPD [severe airway obstruction – FEV1: 37 ± 7% of predicted value; with low exercise capacity – 6-minute walk test (6MWD): 55 ± 10% of the predicted value] during 3 weeks of inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation.
Test procedure
The presented studies were randomized and with a control group. Patients performed a standard program of endurance and strength training and 4 different exercises to improve their balance: either on a vibration platform (WBVT group) or on a conventional device (control group).
Use of vibration in the study
Vibrotherapy was performed on a vibration platform (Galileo) 3 times a week, 2 x 1 minute for each exercise. Vibrations of various frequencies were used, ranging from 5 to 26 Hz.
Results
Balance did not improve significantly in any of the tests in the control patients, while a significant improvement in balance was achieved after vibrotherapy. For example, the jump in the opposite direction improved much more in favor of the WBVT group (+2.3 W/kg vs -0.1 W/kg; p = 0.001). The walking speed at 4 m increased significantly only in the WBVT group (0.08 m/s2, p = 0.018 vs. 0.01 m/s2, p = 0.715). Walking performance during 6-MWT increased similarly in both groups.
Comment
Vibrotherapy can significantly improve muscle balance and performance in severe COPD patients, even compared to conventional balance training, as shown by objective measurements.
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