New therapeutic techniques and strategies in pulmonary rehabilitation.
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or those with paralytic restrictive pulmonary syndromes caused by progressive neuromuscular disease, kyphoscoliosis or traumatic quadriplegia may require frequent hospitalization because of respiratory impairment and have increased morbidity and mortality. Pulmonary rehabilitation has been shown to decrease the frequency of hospitalization, ameliorate symptoms, increase exercise tolerance, and in one study, prolong life for individuals with COPD. It is now recognized that principles of pulmonary rehabilitation can also be used to avoid hospitalization, intubation, tracheostomy and bronchoscopy while enhancing quality of life, decreasing cost, and greatly prolonging life for individuals with paralytic restrictive syndromes and global alveolar hypoventilation as well.
Bach
J R
JR
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, UMD-New Jersey Medical School, Newark 07103.
Lee
H J
HJ
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000150:complications; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation