Whole body vibration training (WBVT) has been identified as an alternative intervention to improve exercise capacity and quality of life of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the effect of WBVT on inflammatory-oxidative biomarkers remains unknown. The aim of this trial was to investigate the effects of WBVT on quality of life and physical and inflammatory-oxidative parameters in patients with COPD. Twenty patients were equally divided into 1) an intervention group (IG) that performed the WBVT, and 2) a control group (CG) that did not receive any intervention. Intervention consisted in performing static squatting on a vibrating platform, in six series of 30 s, 3 days/wk, for 12 wk. Patients were evaluated for plasma levels of IL-6, IL-8, IFN-γ, soluble receptors of TNF-α; white cell count; plasma levels of oxidant and antioxidant markers; 6-min walking distance (6MWD); peak oxygen uptake (V̇o2peak); handgrip strength; quality of life; timed 5-chair sit-to-stand (5STS); and timed get-up and go test (TUG). After WBVT, patients from IG showed a significant increase in the 6MWD, V̇o2peak, and handgrip strength ( P < 0.05). Furthermore, patients from the IG reached minimal clinically important difference regarding quality of life. No significant differences were found in 5STS, TUG, inflammatory-oxidative biomarkers, and white cell count in the IG. The CG did not show significant improvement in all assessments ( P > 0.05). Taken together, our results demonstrated that the WBVT induced clinically significant benefits regarding exercise capacity, muscle strength, and quality of life in patients with COPD that were not related to inflammatory-oxidative biomarker changes. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Whole body vibration training is a new option for nonpharmacological treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study showed the potential of this training to improve exercise capacity, quality of life, and muscle strength in patients with COPD. Furthermore, to our knowledge this was the first study showing that vibration exercise does not modify the plasma levels of inflammatory-oxidative biomarkers, suggesting that the beneficial effects on physical measures and quality of life are independent of changes in biomarkers.
Keywords: COPD; exercise capacity; handgrip strength; quality of life; vibration exercise.