Pulmonary rehabilitation for chronic lung disease

Abstract

Pulmonary rehabilitation is an important adjunct to standard medical therapy aimed at restoring patients to the highest possible functional state by use of a combination of exercise training, education, respiratory and chest physiotherapy techniques, and psychosocial support. Evidence supports the use of this combined modality therapy for motivated patients with disability from chronic lung disease. Decreased dyspnea, improved exercise tolerance and quality of life, and less need for health care services typically result, although pulmonary function generally does not change. Patients gain a better understanding of their disease and the proper usage of medications, oxygen therapy, and chest physiotherapy techniques. Thus pulmonary rehabilitation helps patients maximize their physical and psychosocial function. This can be an important treatment option for patients with end-stage lung disease who are awaiting lung transplantation or are not candidates for transplantation.