Changes in quality of life of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treated with high-frequency chest wall oscillations

Abstract

Summary. Mechanical high-frequency vibration and compression of the chest wall using the VEST device (Hill-Rom, USA) could improve lung function and hyperinflation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of this study was to evaluate quality of life of patients with COPD treated with the VEST device. This open comparative study was performed in a pneumology department of the municipal hospital № 57, Moscow. All the participants suffered from severe to very severe COPD (GOLD, 2006), or C to D stage COPD (GOLD, 2011) and received standard medication therapy. The 1st group (n = 11; mean age, 66.2 ± 7.0 years) was also treated with high-frequency chest wall oscillations. The 2st group (n = 12, mean age, 60.4 ± 8.6 years) received standard medication therapy only. As a result, the 1st group patients significantly improved FEV1, FVC and FEV1 / FVC with reduction in lung hyperinflation; the 2nd group showed improvement in FVC only. Quality of life of the COPD patients increased, primarily in the high-frequency chest wall oscillations group: physical activity improved by 13.2 % (p < 0.001), a role of physical problems improved by 30.4 % (p < 0.05), a role of emotional problems improved by 27.5 % (p < 0.01), and well-being comparison improved by 9.15 % (p < 0.05). Pain, vital force, general health and psychical health as criteria of quality of life also improved significantly. A strong correlation was found between quality of life and lung function parameters; reverse correlation was found between physical activity and MRC dyspnea score (r = –0.86). Therefore, high-frequency chest wall oscillations improved lung function and hyperinflation and quality of life, primarily in physical activity domain.