Efeitos do exercício de vibração de corpo inteiro na funcionalidade, na ativação neuromuscular dos músculos acessórios da respiração e na dispneia em indivíduos com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica

Abstract

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a management strategy for both the pulmonary and extrapulmonary symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In PR, pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies are utilized, with physical exercise being among the non-pharmacological approaches. The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease recommends whole-body vibration exercise (WBVE) as a beneficial intervention for this population. The hypothesis of this study posits that WBVE can serve as an intervention to enhance functionality without increasing the neuromuscular activity of accessory respiratory muscles, thereby not exacerbating dyspnea perception in individuals with COPD. The objective was to investigate the effects of 6 weeks of WBVE training on functionality, neuromuscular activation of accessory respiratory muscles, and dyspnea in COPD individuals. Fifty-two COPD individuals were recruited and assigned to 5 groups: an untreated control group (CG), a group undergoing WBVE in a seated position in front of a side-alternating vibrating platform (SAVP) alternating once a week (SitG1) and twice per week (SitG2), and a group undergoing WBVE once a week in a standing position (StandG1) and twice a week (StandG2). The intervention protocol consisted of 6 weeks of WBVE (5 sets, frequency of 25 Hz, 2.5 mm peak-to-peak displacement, 1 minute exposure to mechanical vibration, and 1 minute rest). Functionality was assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), neuromuscular activity of accessory respiratory muscles was measured through surface electromyography (EMGs), and dyspnea was evaluated using the modified Borg scale. After 6 weeks of intervention, no significant changes in functionality were observed among the groups, although there was a trend towards improved gait speed in StandG2 (p=0.097). There was no discernible neuromuscular activation of accessory respiratory muscles nor changes in dyspnea perception.In conclusion, WBVE appears to be a physical exercise that does not activate accessory respiratory muscles or worsen dyspnea perception in COPD individuals. Furthermore, it is possible that WBVE may improve functionality in individuals with COPD. However, further studies are required to validate these findings.