Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients with Respiratory Disease

Abstract

Background. Limited evidence suggests that pulmonary rehabilitation be included in the management of restrictive lung diseases. The purpose of this study was to document pulmonary rehabilitation outcomes in patients with respiratory diseases other than chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods. Clinical outcomes of 31patients with respiratory diseases other than COPD and 190 patients with COPD, seen over a 35-month period, were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were evaluated for a 6-minute walk, arm curl strength, chair stand strength, the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) total score, SGRQ symptom scores, SGRQ activity levels, and SGRQ impact of respiratory illness on the patient’s life. Outcome measures were obtained before the start of pulmonary rehabilitation and after a minimum of nine therapy visits. Results. Pre- and post-rehabilitation changes in the 6-minute walk, arm curl strength, chair stand strength, the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) total score, SGRQ symptom scores, SGRQ activity levels, and SGRQ impact scores improved significantly for both groups. However, non-COPD patients achieved significantly higher mean SGRQ impact scores and arm curl strength than patients with COPD. Conclusions. Pulmonary rehabilitation should be recommended for all patients with respiratory disease, not only those with COPD.