What is pulmonary rehabilitation?
Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program to help people with chronic pulmonary disease. Pulmonary rehabilitation is an individualized program that includes an initial assessment, patient education, exercise training, psychosocial assistance, and disease prevention.
Pulmonary rehabilitation has three major objectives:
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Control and alleviate symptoms of respiratory impairment
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Improve the quality of the patient's life
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Optimize the patient's functional capacity
A physician, nurse or respiratory therapist may complete the initial assessment. The education portion of the program instructs patients on the effects of lung disease and how to deal with it on a daily basis. Patients are taught proper breathing techniques, the proper way to cough, stress management, relaxation techniques, anxiety control, energy conservation, and disease and symptom prevention. The exercise portion of the program is designed to meet the needs of patients on an individual basis. Exercise equipment used to increase endurance as well as strength and flexibility can include treadmills, stationary bikes, small weights or therabands. Patients dealing with a chronic lung condition may also benefit from psychosocial assistance. Most pulmonary rehabilitation programs are 2 or 3 days per week for 6 to 10 weeks. The long-term goal is to determine how the patient may best maintain or improve the activities they have been taught in pulmonary rehabilitation.
Pulmonary rehabilitation is a team approach that works to maximize strength and endurance, teach control techniques for shortness of breath, and increase independence. Rehabilitation is not a cure. However, it will give patients the ability to control their symptoms and to live more comfortably and effectively with their lung disease.
Who should have pulmonary rehabilitation?
Any person with a chronic lung disease might benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation. Examples of lung conditions that may benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation include COPD, asthma, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary fibrosis and other restrictive lung disease. Pulmonary rehabilitation also assists patients undergoing lung surgery with preparation and with post-surgery recovery.
How are patients chosen for pulmonary rehabilitation?
Any patient with symptoms of respiratory disease is a candidate for pulmonary rehabilitation. Rehabilitation programs are most effective when instituted while the disease is in a moderate stage. Patients with advanced lung disease, including those who are awaiting lung transplantation, show improvements from pulmonary rehabilitation.
Maximizing success of pulmonary rehabilitation
The biggest cause of poor results from pulmonary rehabilitation is a lack of motivation. Patients must make the effort during rehabilitation in order to see results. With effort, the patient's condition will improve, regardless of the stage of the illness. Illnesses such as heart disease and arthritis can hinder the success of rehabilitation as well. If you have a disabling disease, your pulmonary rehabilitation specialist will design a program specific to your needs.
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 10/24/2006
