BACKGROUND: Whole body vibration training (WBVT) improves muscle force in healthy subjects. Resistance training (RT) is an important component of a pulmonary program. AIM: To investigate the effects of either 12 weeks WBVT or RT, both provided after 15 min of aerobic training as warming up. METHODS: COPD patients, referred for pulmonary rehabilitation, were randomized to either a WBVT or a conventional RT group. Primary outcome was the change in 6 Minute Walking Distance (6MWD) after 12 weeks. Maximum exercise capacity (Wmax), quadriceps force (QF), quality of life (QoL) and number of responders, defined as the percentage of patients reaching the minimally clinically important difference (MCID) for the aforementioned outcome measurements were the secondary outcomes. Data are expressed as medians (interquartile range). RESULTS: 62 patients with COPD were included. After WBVT, 6MWD improved by 35 (-14 to 76) m (p = 0.003), Wmax by 7 (2 to 23) Watt (p = 0.001), QoL by 13 (4 to 25) points (p = 0.002) and QF by 9 (-16 to 29) Nm (NS). In the RT-group, 6MWD, Wmax, QoL and QF increased significantly, with 60 (-13 to 96) m (p < 0.001), 12 (8 to 18) Watt (p < 0.001), 11 (3 to 16) points (p = 0.002) and 12 (-3 to 44) Nm (p = 0.009), respectively. The MCID for 6MWD (54 m) was reached by 8/26 patients in the WBVT-group and by 16/25 patients in RT-group (p = 0.05). No significant differences between groups were observed for the primary and secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: WBVT after 15 min aerobic training enhances 6MWD, Wmax and QoL in COPD patients; however only 30% of patients reached the MCID for 6MWD.

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