Effects of Vibration Training on Exercise Capacity in COPD-patients

Effects of Vibration Training During a Three-week Rehabilitation on Exercise Capacity in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) III/IV-Patients

The aim of this study is to investigate the exercise capacity in COPD-patients performing a vibration training additional to a standard three-week rehabilitation program in comparison to patients performing merely a rehabilitation program.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease III/IV

Exclusion Criteria:

• Severe exacerbations in the last 4 weeks prior to begin of study (definition of exacerbation: symptoms on more than 3 days with a relevant change in drug therapy (cortisone, antibiotics))
• Severe disease other than COPD, that could influence the results of the study
• Abuse of alcohol or drugs
• Simultaneously participation in another study
• Tachypnea (>30/min)
• Severe exacerbation during rehabilitation
• Cardiac insufficiency (NYHA IV)
• Myocardial infarction during the last 6 weeks
• Mental-health problem
• Pregnancy
• Known HIV-infection
• Slipped disk
• Acute discopathy
• Acute thrombosis
• Implants in trained regions of the body (lower extremities)
• Acute inflammation of the locomotor system, active arthrosis or rheumatoid arthritis
• Acute tendinopathy in trained regions of the body
• Acute hernia
• Fresh fractures, wounds or scars in trained regions of the body
• Gallstones or stones in the urinary tract collection system