Oscillatory whole-body vibration improves exercise capacity and physical performance in pulmonary arterial hypertension: a randomised clinical study.


Author: Gerhardt F1, Dumitrescu D1, Gärtner C1, Beccard R2, Viethen T1, Kramer T1, Baldus S1,3, Hellmich M4, Schönau E2, Rosenkranz S1,3.

Affiliation: 1Klinik III für Innere Medizin, Herzzentrum der Universität zu Köln, Cologne, Germany.

2Klinik und Poliklinik für Allgemeine Kinderheilkunde, Universität zu Köln, Cologne, Germany.

3Cologne Cardiovascular Research Center (CCRC), Heart Center at the University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.

4Institut für Medizinische Statistik, Informatik und Epidemiologie, Universität zu Köln, Cologne, Germany.
Conference/Journal: Heart
Date published: 2017 Jan 18
Other:
  Pages: pii: heartjnl-2016-309852.   ,  Special Notes: doi: 10.1136/heartjnl-2016-309852.   ,  Word Count: 197  
        OBJECTIVE:

In patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), supportive therapies may be beneficial in addition to targeted medical treatment. Here, we evaluated the effectiveness and safety of oscillatory whole-body vibration (WBV) in patients on stable PAH therapy.

METHODS:

Twenty-two patients with PAH (mean PAP≥25 mm Hg and pulmonary arterial wedge pressure (PAWP)≤15 mm Hg) who were in world health organization (WHO)-Functional Class II or III and on stable PAH therapy for≥3 months, were randomised to receive WBV (16 sessions of 1-hour duration within 4 weeks) or to a control group, that subsequently received WBV. Follow-up measures included the 6-min walking distance (6MWD), cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), echocardiography, muscle-power, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL; SF-36 and LPH questionnaires).

RESULTS:

When compared to the control group, patients receiving WBV exhibited a significant improvement in the primary endpoint, the 6MWD (+35.4±10.9 vs -4.4±7.6 m), resulting in a net benefit of 39.7±7.8 m (p=0.004). WBV was also associated with substantial improvements in CPET variables, muscle power, and HRQoL. The combined analysis of all patients (n=22) indicated significant net improvements versus baseline in the 6MWD (+38.6 m), peakVO2 (+65.7 mL/min), anaerobic threshold (+40.9 mL VO2/min), muscle power (+4.4%), and HRQoL (SF-36 +9.7, LPH -11.5 points) (all p