Benefits of Whole-Body Vibration, as a Component of the Pulmonary Rehabilitation, in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Narrative Review with a Suitable Approach

Table 3

Level of evidence and outcomes of reviewed papers.

Level of evidence	Authors	Sample	Protocols and outcome measures	WBV findings
II	Greulich et al., 2014 [23]	N = 40 (26 males and 14 females); IG n = 20; IG age = 66 ± 10 years; CG n = 20; CG age = 70 ± 10 years	IG: standard physiotherapy with WBV; CG: standard physiotherapy; Duration: during inpatient admission; Outcomes: CRT, 6MWT, QoL, and serum markers	Improved CRT, 6MWT, and QoL; Increased expression of the TFPP receptor gamma coactivator-1-α and levels of irisin; Decreased serum interleukin-8
II	Pleguezuelos et al., 2013 [26]	N = 51 males; IG n = 26; IG age = 73 ± 14 years; CG n = 25; CG age = 74 ± 10 years	IG: WBV; CG: lifestyle education; Duration: 6 weeks; Outcomes: IKFET lower limb performance, 6MWT, and pulmonary muscular assessment with MIP and MEP	No differences for IKFET; Improved 6MWT, MIP, and MEP
II	Gloeckl et al., 2012 [27]	N = 72 (37 males and 35 females); IG n = 36; IG age = 64 ± 11 years; CG n = 36; CG age = 65 ± 7 years	IG: WBV with dynamic squats; CG: dynamic squats; Duration: 3 weeks; Outcomes: 6MWT, sit-to-stand test, and QoL	Improvement in 6MWT, sit-to-stand test; No difference between groups for QoL
III-1	Braz Júnior et al., 2015 [22]	N = 11 (8 males and 3 females); Age: 63 ± 9 years; Design: crossover with washout	IG: WBV; CG: No intervention; Duration: 12 weeks; Outcomes: 6MWT, IPE, and QoL	Improved 6MWT and QoL; No difference among groups for IPE
III-1	Furness et al., 2014 [24]	N = 16 (12 males and 4 females); Age: 72 ± 9 years; Design: crossover with washout	IG: WBV; CG: SWBV; Duration: 6 weeks; Outcomes: Borg CR-10, heart rate, saturation of oxygen, TUG test, 5-chair stand test, and gait velocity	No exacerbations were reported during the WBV or SWBV interventions. After improved TUG test, 5-chair stand test and gait velocity; No meaningful difference among groups for Borg CR-10, heart rate, and saturation of oxygen
III-1	Furness et al., 2013 [25]	N = 17; Age: 69 ± 8 years; Design: crossover with washout	IG: WBV; CG: SWBV; Duration: 1 session; Outcomes: Borg CR-10, heart rate, and saturation of oxygen	No meaningful differences among groups

IG: intervention group; CG: control group; CRT: chair rising test; 6MWT: 6-minute walk test; QoL: quality of life; IKFET: isokinetic knee flexor/extensor testing; MIP: maximum inspiratory pressure; MEP: maximum expiratory pressure; IPE: index of perceived exertion; SWBV: sham whole-body vibration.