The Effect of Whole-Body Vibration on Pulmonary Function and Cerebral Cortical Activity in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background

This study aimed to provide patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with an intervention based on whole-body vibration training (WBVT), examine pulmonary function and electroencephalograms (EEGs) to improve the physical capacity of these patients, and suggest an efficient approach to managing these patients in practice.

A clinical sample of 22 patients with severe COPD was randomly assigned to either Experimental Group I (n=12), which performed squat exercises in combination with WBVT, or Experimental Group II (n=10), which served squat exercises alone. The intervention programs were administered over four weeks, with ten repetitions per set, three sets per session, one session per day, and three days per week.

In Experimental Group I, within-group changes pre-and post-intervention were significant for the alpha waves in Fp1, Fp2, F3, and F4, whereas no within-group changes in pulmonary function, EEG, or 6-minute walk test (6MWT) performance were observed in Experimental Group II. Significant between-group differences were observed in the alpha waves in Fp1, Fp2, and F4 (P<0.05).

Exercise combined with WBVT was a safe and effective strategy to counteract the loss of musculoskeletal function in patients with COPD. Additional research is needed to develop protocols for the combination of WBVT and pulmonary function intervention programs.