Journal of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation
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J Cardiopulm Rehabil · Jan 2006
Randomized Controlled TrialRegular walking and long-term maintenance of outcomes after pulmonary rehabilitation.
Empirical evidence supports the role of exercise as part of pulmonary rehabilitation in improving symptoms of breathlessness (dyspnea), health-related quality of life, and exercise tolerance among patients with chronic lung disease. However, many studies show that these initial benefits tend to diminish 12 to 18 months after rehabilitation. Given the importance of exercise (ie, walking) during rehabilitation, we examined whether patient adherence to regular walking enhanced the long-term maintenance of functional benefits gained from an 8-week pulmonary rehabilitation program. ⋯ Findings suggest that participation in regular exercise such as walking after completing pulmonary rehabilitation is associated with slower declines in overall health-related quality of life and walking self-efficacy as well as less progression of dyspnea during activities of daily living. Regular exercise after rehabilitation may be protective against increases in dyspnea symptoms and perceived limitations in walking which are both characteristic of progressing chronic lung disease.
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J Cardiopulm Rehabil · Jan 2006
Comparative StudyResults of an 8-week, outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program on patients with and without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
To determine whether there is any difference in the effect of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) on outcomes in patients with and without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). ⋯ There is no significant difference in improvement in exercise tolerance or quality of life following PR in COPD versus non-COPD patients. Baseline lung function does not predict improvement in exercise tolerance. PR is effective for patients with disability due to any chronic respiratory disease and not just COPD.