Pulmonary rehabilitation as evaluated by clinical trials: an overview

During the 80' and the 90's, the role of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) was still not clearly demonstrated. The following development of PR was mainly due to the increasing number of clinical studies providing proofs of its effectiveness, and convincing physicians, institutions, and regulatory agencies about its additional value to conventional pharmacological therapies. In the later years, PR has become an evidence-based non pharmacological treatment, designed for patients suffering from chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). In the pulmonary rehabilitation programs (PRPs), exercise is essential for improving muscular tone and thus reducing disability. This later is due to chronic breathlessness, fatigue, and impairment of daily activities, that cause a reduction in functional performance and quality of life (QoL) in COPD patients. PRPs include also educational, psychosocial and nutritional interventions, so that it becomes a multifaceted approach. Despite the existing consciousness that PR results in improvement of exercise tolerance, dyspnea, and QoL, it is under prescribed by most health professionals, and only about 2% of COPD patients undergo PRPs. An appropriate consideration of the PR is essential to ensure optimal management of COPD, in particular when patients have respiratory symptoms that lead to a decrease in physical activity.