Effects of whole-body vibration exercise on functional capacity, muscle strength, and quality of life in individuals with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

Background

Whole body vibration (WBV) exercise is a therapy used for individuals with low tolerance to conventional exercises, such as patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study aimed to assess the impact of WBV exercise on the functional capacity, muscle strength, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in severe COPD patients.

Methods

Studies published until March 2024 were reviewed, encompassing randomized clinical trials (RCTs) without temporal or linguistic constraints, comparing WBV exercise with other interventions. The PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane Airways Trials Register, and CINAHL databases were queried. The Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials 2.0A was employed for quality assessment.

Results

Among 351 screened studies, 7 met the criteria, totaling 356 participants (WBV group, n = 182; control group, n = 174). Meta-analysis revealed a significant mean difference of 41.36 m [95%CI (13.28–69.44); p = .004] in the 6-minute walk test distance favoring the WBV group for functional capacity. Lower limb muscle strength improved in 57.14% of included studies. HRQoL meta-analysis demonstrated a 1.13-point difference [95%CI −1.24-3.51; p = .35] favoring WBV, although group differences were not significant. A mean difference of 2.31 points favored the control group in health condition [95%CI (−1.32–5.94); p = .021].

Conclusion

WBV exercise is recognized as a promising therapeutic modality for severe COPD patients, notably enhancing functional capacity. Although heterogeneous study protocols weaken the evidence for clinically relevant outcomes, improvements in lower limb muscle strength and HRQoL were also observed, differences between groups were not significant.

KEYWORDS:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• dyspnea
• exercise tolerance
• muscle strength
• quality of life

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Availability of material data

The data is with the authors and will be available upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Fundação de Amparo à Ciência e Tecnologia do Estado de Pernambuco (FACEPE) [grant number APQ-0182-4.08/20].