Pulmonary rehabilitation: today and tomorrow

Abstract

Educational aims To review the rationale for and the components of comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation. To evaluate the role of pulmonary rehabilitation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation. To discuss the potential role of pulmonary rehabilitation in the critically ill patient and the patient with lung cancer Summary Comprehensive and effective clinical management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) requires an interdisciplinary, integrated care approach that includes both pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies. Pulmonary rehabilitation is a nonpharmacological, interdisciplinary, patient-centred intervention that is a crucial component of the optimal care for patients with COPD, and, as such, has a prominent place in all current guidelines for the treatment of this disease [1–3]. This article will begin by outlining the components of pulmonary rehabilitation and the rationale behind its effectiveness. It will then focus on some emerging areas of clinical and research interest which will illustrate how the principles of pulmonary rehabilitation can be adapted to nontraditional areas to improve patient outcomes. These include COPD exacerbations, lung cancer and critical illness.