Abstract
BackgroundThe potential of whole-body vibration (WBV) as a mode of dyspnoea free physical activity for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is unknown among community-based settings. Furthermore, the acute effects of WBV on people with COPD have not been profiled in community-based settings. The aim of this community-based proof-of-concept trial was to describe acute effects of WBV by profiling subjective and objective responses to physical activity.FindingsSeventeen community-dwelling older adults with COPD were recruited to participate in two sessions; WBV and sham WBV (SWBV). Each session consisted of five one-minute bouts interspersed with five one-minute passive rest periods. The gravitational force was ~2.5 g for WBV and ~0.0 g for SWBV. Reliability of baseline dyspnoea, heart rate, and oxygen saturation was first established and then profiled for both sessions. Acute responses to both WBV and SWBV were compared with repeated measures analysis of variance and repeated contrasts. Small changes in dyspnoea and oxygen saturation lacked subjective and clinical meaningfulness. One session of WBV and SWBV significantly increased heart rate (p ≤ 0.02), although there was no difference among WBV and SWBV (p = 0.67).ConclusionsThis community-based proof-of-concept trial showed that a session of WBV can be completed with the absence of dyspnoea for people with COPD. Furthermore, there were no meaningful differences among WBV and SWBV for heart rate and oxygen saturation. There is scope for long-term community-based intervention research using WBV given the known effects of WBV on peripheral muscle function and functional independence.
Highlights
The potential of whole-body vibration (WBV) as a mode of dyspnoea free physical activity for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is unknown among community-based settings
This community-based proof-of-concept trial showed that a session of WBV can be completed with the absence of dyspnoea for people with COPD
There were no meaningful differences among WBV and sham WBV (SWBV) for heart rate and oxygen saturation
Summary
WBV was a mode of dyspnoea free physical activity for people with COPD in this community-based proof-of-concept trial. Acute changes in subjective and objective responses to physical activity during WBV were clinically meaningless. The potential of long-term community-based WBV interventions to improve function of the peripheral muscles of the lower limbs remains unknown yet should be described because WBV did not change perceived breathlessness of people with COPD. Competing interests The authors declare they have no competing interests. Authors’ contributions All authors made substantial contribution to the conception and design of the trial, and preparation of this manuscript. TF recruited all participants, coordinated the trial, collected, and analysed all data. All authors give final approval of this version to be published
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