139 - Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Abstract

Pulmonary rehabilitation is an essential component of the comprehensive and integrated care of individuals with chronic respiratory disease. It is a multidisciplinary, patient-centered intervention that addresses distressing symptoms, exercise limitation, and reductions in health and functional status by treating the systemic manifestations of respiratory disease, including skeletal muscle dysfunction, maladaptive coping skills, inadequate self-management skills, nutritional depletion, and psychological comorbidities. Key components of pulmonary rehabilitation include exercise training, education, psychosocial intervention, nutritional interventions, and breathing training, as well as comprehensive patient assessment and outcomes measurement. Promotion of physical activity and reduction of disease exacerbations and hospitalizations are additional important goals. Pulmonary rehabilitation is effective when delivered in several settings; novel means of delivery, including home-based and telerehabilitation, are under investigation. Pulmonary rehabilitation improves symptoms, exercise capacity, and quality of life and reduces health care utilization for people with COPD. People with respiratory diseases other than COPD also benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation. Despite its well-established benefits, pulmonary rehabilitation remains grossly underutilized. Increased awareness and resources for pulmonary rehabilitation are urgently needed.