Pulmonary
rehabilitation is, "...an
art of medical practice wherein an individually tailored, multidisciplinary
program is formulated which through accurate diagnosis, therapy, emotional
support, and education, stabilizes or reverses both the physio- and
psychopathology of pulmonary diseases and attempts to return the patient
to the highest possible functioning capacity allowed by his pulmonary
handicap and overall life situation" (as
per the American College of Chest Physicians and the American Thoracic
Society).
It can
benefit people with asthma, alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which is defined as chronic bronchitis
and/or emphysema, cystic fibrosis, lung
cancer, interstitial lung disease, neuromuscular and neurological
disorders and primary pulmonary hypertension and . Pulmonary rehabilitation
has also been shown to benefit people before and after volume reduction
surgery or lung transplantation and people who require ventilatory support.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation has been shown to:
- Reduce hospitalizations
and the use of medical resources.
- Improve a person's quality
of life.
- Reduce respiratory symptoms
such as dyspnea.
- Improve psychosocial symptoms
such as anxiety and depression.
- Increase knowledge about
pulmonary disease and its management.
- Increase exercise tolerance
and performance.
- Enhance a person's ability
to perform the activities of daily living.
- Increase survival in some
patients.
- Allow the return to work
for some patients.
In order for these results to occur, it is necessary that one has realistic
and readily achievable goals that should include:
- Being able to breathe better.
- Being more active.
- Having a better quality
of life.
- Being able to perform the
activities of daily living, including hobbies.
- Being able to travel.
- Being independent and self-reliant.
- Being able to return to
work.
- Decreasing anxiety and depression.
