title: [Argentine Consensus of Respiratory Rehabilitation].
abstract: A group of pulmonologists and physical therapists from the Asociacion Argentina de Medicina Respiratoria revised the scientific literature on Respiratory Rehabilitation (RR) to elaborate evidence-based national recommendations to promote its use. RR is a multidisciplinary program of care for patients with chronic respiratory impairment, individually tailored, designed to optimize physical and social performance and autonomy of patients. It is particularly indicated in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) with exercise intolerance. Inclusion and exclusion criteria, guidelines for initial evaluation and follow up have been defined. The resources needed were defined. It was recommended a hospital ambulatory program with domiciliary complement. A pulmonologist and physical therapist were required for the program as minimum. Aerobic training was recommended for lower limb (LL) (Evidence A) and upper limb (UL) (Evidence B), strength training for LL and UL (Evidence C), as well as respiratory muscles training by resistive inspiratory threshold load (Evidence D) and other physiotherapy techniques were recommended for specific patients. In addition recommendations have been made for educational objectives of the program, nutritional and psychological support. The positive impact of RR on health care was analyzed through the reduction in exacerbation of COPD, length of hospital stay and cost. RR is a key component in the treatment of COPD patients. This evidenced-based consensus statement was prepared to provide recommendations to be implemented nationally.
authors.affiliation: Sección de Rehabilitación Respiratoria de la Asociación Argentina de Medicina Respiratoria. mlsivori@intramed.net.ar
authors.forename: Martín
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sívori
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Benzo
authors.forename: Edgardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rhodius
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jolly
authors.forename: Clarisa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boim
authors.forename: Marcela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saadia
authors.forename: Ernesto
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Conti
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Guevara
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carles
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Victorio
authors.forename: Fabian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Santini
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ratto
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Capparelli
authors.forename: Ernesto
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Prieto
authors.forename: Marcos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Azvalinsky
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alais
mesh_terms: D001118:Argentina; D006801:Humans; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000534:rehabilitation*