Whole-body vibration training - better care for COPD patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Author: Zhou J1,2, Pang L2, Chen N1,2, Wang Z1,2, Wang C3, Hai Y1,2, Lyu M2,4, Lai H2, Lin F1,5 Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China, linfeng0220@aliyun.com. <sup>2</sup>West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China. <sup>3</sup>Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China. <sup>4</sup>Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China. <sup>5</sup>Western China Collaborative Innovation Center for Early Diagnosis and Multidisciplinary Therapy of Lung Cancer, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China, linfeng0220@aliyun.com. Conference/Journal: Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. Date published: 2018 Oct 10 Other: Volume ID: 13 , Pages: 3243-3254 , Special Notes: doi: 10.2147/COPD.S176229. eCollection 2018. , Word Count: 230 Purpose: Whole-body vibrating training (WBVT) is a modality aiming to improve neuromuscular performance of patients with COPD. However, a consensus on the effects of WBVT has not been reached. We aimed to clarify the effects of WBVT on functional exercise capacity, pulmonary function, and quality of life in COPD patients. Patients and methods: PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE were searched through April 5, 2018. We calculated the pooled weight mean difference (WMD) using a random-effects model. Quality assessment and publication bias analyses were also performed. Results: We included eight randomized control trials involving 365 patients. Compared with control group, WBVT increased 6-minute walking distance (6-MWD) (WMD: 62.14 m; 95% CI: 48.12-76.16; P<0.001), the change of 6-MWD (Δ6-MWD) (WMD: 42.33 m; 95% CI: 15.21-69.45; P=0.002), the change of the time to finish five repeated sit-to-stand tests (WMD: -2.07 seconds; 95% CI: -4.00 to -0.05; P=0.04), and decreased the change of St George's Respiratory Questionnaire score (WMD: -6.65 points; 95% CI: -10.52 to -2.78; P<0.001). However, no significant difference was found between the two groups regarding forced expired volume in 1 second (FEV1) (% predicated), change of FEV1 (% predicated), sit-to-stand test, 6-MWD (% predicated), change of 6-MWD (% predicated), St George's Respiratory Questionnaire score, COPD Assessment Test score, and change of COPD Assessment Test score. Conclusion: WBVT has beneficial effects on functional exercise capacity for COPD patients. KEYWORDS: COPD; functional capacity; pulmonary rehabilitation; whole-body vibration training PMID: 30349230 PMCID: PMC6188203 DOI: 10.2147/COPD.S176229