Evaluation of the Effects of Whole Body Vibration on the Lung Function of Patients With Stable COPD

Heidelberg University

Status: Completed

Conditions: COPD

Treatments: Device: Whole Body Vibration

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02679677

S-607/2014

Details and patient eligibility

About

The typical clinical progression of COPD usually results in a decreased level of tolerable physical exertion for the patient. The avoidance of strenuous physical activity leads to a deteriorating level of physical fitness, which further decreases the patient's ability to undertake physical activities. Recent research has shown that whole body vibration has the potential to improve physical fitness of participants, including such measures as the 6 minute walking distance. However, information concerning lung function is lacking.

The goal of the study is to test whether the use of whole body vibration training has an effect on the lung function of patients with stable COPD, or if the previously observed effects can be attributed to either pharmaceutical therapy or physical therapy interventions.

Enrollment: 42 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Stable COPD (Gold II-IV)
• Signed understanding of participation
• The patients must be able to understand and follow the requirements of participation (Understanding of the German language)

Exclusion criteria

• Acute thrombosis
• Hemoptysis
• Implants in the targeted training regions (joint implants)
• Acute joint inflammation, active arthrosis or arthropathy.
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Acute tendinopathy in the targeted training regions
• Acute hernia
• Acute discopathy
• Fresh fracture in the targeted training regions
• Gall or kidney stones
• Wounds still in the process of healing
• Epilepsy
• Severe neurologic disorders (apoplexy, paralysis of upper and lower extremities)
• Severe circulatory disorders (Cardiac insufficiency NYHA > or = III, myocardial infarct less than one month prior, circulatory relevant rhythm disorders, idiopathic syncope)
• Tension pneumothorax
• Acute internal bleeding
• Current therapy with fluoroquinolone
• Alcohol/drug/medication abuse

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

---

42 participants in 2 patient groups

Control

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Whole body vibration training as sham procedure (5Hz) 3 times a week, 3x2 minutes, for 6 weeks.

Treatment:

Device: Whole Body Vibration

Intervention

Experimental group

Description:

Whole body vibration training (12 Hz up to 30 Hz) 3 times a week, 3x2 minutes, for 6 weeks.

Treatment:

Device: Whole Body Vibration