The Effects of Whole-Body Vibration Training on Clinical and Functional Outcomes in Individuals Diagnosed With Interstitial Lung Disease

Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the clinical and functional effects of Whole Body Vibration (WBV) training when added to a standard pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program in patients with fibrotic interstitial lung disease (ILD). Participants aged between 40 and 80 years with confirmed ILD diagnosis will be randomly assigned to two groups: (1) PR only (control), and (2) PR + WBV (intervention). The program will last for 8 weeks, with supervised sessions twice per week.

Primary outcome measures include pulmonary function (FEV₁, FVC), exercise capacity (6-minute walk test), dyspnea (mMRC and Borg scale), arterial blood gas analysis, depression level (Beck Depression Inventory), and disease-specific quality of life (St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire). WBV will be performed using a side-alternating vibration platform starting at 10 Hz and progressively increased up to 24-26 Hz over 8 weeks. All procedures will follow ATS/ERS guidelines.

This study is conducted at the Chest Diseases Department of Sultan Abdulhamid Han Training and Research Hospital in Istanbul under the supervision of a multidisciplinary team. The goal is to determine whether WBV offers additional benefit in improving functional outcomes, respiratory performance, and quality of life in ILD patients undergoing PR.

Conditions

• Interstitial Lung Diseases

Interventions

DEVICE

Inspiratory Muscle Training

Inspiratory muscle training performed using the PowerBreathe Medic Plus device twice weekly for 8 weeks. Training follows a 5 breaths × 6 sets protocol, with the initial load set to achieve an RPE of 3-4 on the Modified Borg Scale. Load is increased weekly by 5-10% according to patient tolerance.

BEHAVIORAL

Peripheral Muscle Strengthening Exercises

Resistance exercises targeting the quadriceps, shoulder flexors, and shoulder abductors performed at an RPE of 3-4, for 2 sets of 8 repetitions. Sessions occur twice weekly for 8 weeks under supervision.

BEHAVIORAL

Aerobic Exercise Training (Cycle Ergometer)

Aerobic exercise performed on a cycle ergometer at 60-80% of the target heart rate calculated using the Karvonen formula. Each session includes 3 minutes warm-up, 15 minutes active exercise, and 3 minutes cool-down (total 21 minutes). Resistance is adjusted weekly by 5-10% to maintain an RPE of 3-4. Conducted twice weekly for 8 weeks.

DEVICE

Whole-Body Vibration Training

Whole-body vibration training performed using the Power Plate ProXG10 Acceleration Pro series device, twice weekly for 8 weeks. Sessions include warm-up, vibration training, and cool-down components. Vibration begins at 10 Hz and increases gradually by 2-3 Hz each week, reaching 24-26 Hz by week 8. Amplitude is maintained at 4-6 mm. WBVT is applied as 2 sets × 3 minutes initially, with 2 minutes rest between sets, progressing to 3 sets × 3 minutes from week 5 onward. Participants stand barefoot with slight knee flexion (approximately 150°) while maintaining an RPE of 3-4.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istinye University

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

40 Months

Max Age

80 Months

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-01-15

Primary Completion

2026-07-01

Completion

2026-07-01

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations