Pulmonary Rehabilitation in the Elderly

Abstract

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), which is defined as a comprehensive intervention program that includes exercise training, education, and behavioral change and prescribed on the basis of an exhaustive individual assessment, aims to improve the physical and psychological conditions of patients with chronic respiratory diseases. Commonly managed by a specialized, interdisciplinary team, PR can improve the symptoms, general health status, physical performance, and quality of life (QoL) of elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), although its impact on exacerbation rate is still controversial. Patients with non-COPD respiratory disorders, including chest wall disease, interstitial lung disease, non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, neuromuscular diseases, and lung cancer, can also benefit from a PR program.