Effects of Whole-Body Vibration on Egyptian Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] is a chronic lung disease affecting other body systems, like musculoskeletal system causing weakness. Muscle weakness is a major problem, causing poor functional lung capacity; and a negative impact on daily life activity. Muscle weakness in COPD may be a form of disuse and/or a form of myopathy is a question need answer. Exercise is a basic unit of pulmonary rehabilitation causing increased quality of life. So, PR regarded as effective non-pharmacological treatments in COPD.  Aim of the work: Whole-body vibration [WBV] is a type of exercise that improve muscle function specially in debilitated patients like COPD,WBV not yet studied in Egyptian patients with COPD. Patients and Methods:Fifty patients with COPD were assessed for an 18-weeks in outpatient rehabilitation center, the patients were randomly assigned into: Group 1, using dynamic exercise on a side alternating vibration platform at 25–30 Hz three times per week [WBV], and group 2 as a control group [CON] with the same amount of exercise without WBV. Results: Pulmonary function tests results: showing FEV1 pred. 39.8 ± 12.2 and 41.3±4.6 before and after intervention respectively. PaO2:  49.60 ± 80and 82±90 before and after intervention respectively; PaCO2:  65 ± 70and 33±50before and after intervention respectively the difference was significant in intervention group than in control. The distance walked [DW] increased after the WBV period [397±133m] compared with the control period [359±111m]. Conclusion: WBV was good complementary training exercise which could be an effective new modality for COPD patients.