Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is the standard of care for patients with chronic lung disease and related symptoms such as shortness of breath. It is well established to be an effective therapeutic strategy to improve exercise tolerance, quality of life, breathlessness and mood. It also has been found to reduce hospitalizations in persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and improve survival following acute exacerbation or severe flare of COPD.
Pulmonary rehabilitation is defined as “a comprehensive intervention based on thorough patient assessment followed by patient-tailored therapies that include, but are not limited to, exercise training, education, self-management intervention aiming at behavior change, designed to improve the physical and psychological condition of people with chronic respiratory disease and to promote the long-term adherence to health-enhancing behaviors." The 2000 GOLD COPD guidelines outline the important role pulmonary rehabilitation plays in reducing hospitalization and related costs. Recent research has shown that Medicare patients who underwent pulmonary rehabilitation within 3 months following hospitalization for COPD exacerbation had a 37% better survival rate at one year compared to those not attending pulmonary rehabilitation.
What does it include?
- Monitored and supervised exercises
- Education about your pulmonary condition, control of symptoms, medications, and oxygen
- Assistance with smoking cessation
- Stress reduction and/or management techniques sessions
- Nutritional guidance
What conditions are referred to pulmonary rehabilitation?
- COPD (Emphysema or chronic bronchitis)
- Bronchiectasis
- Sarcoidosis
- Pulmonary Hypertension
- Pulmonary Fibrosis
- Interstitial lung disease
- Lung cancer and lung cancer surgery
- Lung volume reduction surgery
- Pre and post lung transplantation
- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
What can I expect from pulmonary rehabilitation?
Pulmonary rehabilitation is normally a 6 to 10-week evidence-based exercise and education program that teaches people with lung disease the skills needed to manage their breathlessness, stay well, as independent as possible, and out of hospital. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs consist of an individual assessment which includes safe exercise capacity testing and a thorough medical history followed by exercise training and self-management education.
The exercise component focuses on increasing physical function and is individualized to cover safety considerations.
The education component assists patients to adapt to and manage their condition and symptoms by providing knowledge in areas such as breathing techniques, using medications and energy conservation.
Upon completion of a 6 to 10-week program, patients have the tools to manage their lung disease better and an enhanced sense of control over their condition. An important area of emphasis is long term behavior change to promote lasting techniques for improved function, independence and symptom control.
Additional education includes:
- Teaching patients how the lungs work and about their disease, medications (including oxygen) and other treatment options
- Teaching patients breathing retraining tools, rescue positions and airway mucus clearance devices
- Teaching patients about preventing and managing respiratory infections and action plans
- Teaching patients about conserving energy and emotional health and wellbeing
- Reinforcing healthy behaviors such as smoking cessation and avoidance of second hand smoke, good nutrition, sleep and exercise
Pulmonary Rehabilitation Toolkit
AACVPR and the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF), with support from Boehringer Ingelheim, partnered to provide you with a FREE resource that will equip PR specialists and pulmonary fibrosis patients with the tools they need to rehab from the comfort of their own homes. PR has been found to improve the physical function, breathlessness (dyspnea), mood and quality of life in persons with IPF and other types of pulmonary fibrosis.
This resource created by expert members of the PR community and is designed to be a tool for patients who are unable to attend an in-person program.
Modules Include:
- Module 1: Introduction to Pulmonary Rehabilitation
- Module 2: Exercise Videos and What is Pulmonary Fibrosis
- Module 3: Exercise Videos and Supplemental Oxygen
- Module 4: Exercise Videos and Treatment Options
- Module 5: Exercise Videos and Mindfulness
- Module 6: Exercise Videos and Managing the Symptoms of Pulmonary Fibrosis
- Module 7: Exercise Videos and Nutrition
- Module 8: Exercise Videos and Psychosocial Support
Access the Toolkit
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