Cardiovascular, pulmonary, and cancer rehabilitation. 2. Pulmonary rehabilitation

This self-directed learning module highlights both pulmonary and nonpulmonary aspects in the rehabilitation of patients with pulmonary disease and the assessment and physical therapeutic options in the pulmonary management of patients with neurological disorders. It is part of the chapter on cardiovascular, pulmonary, and cancer rehabilitation in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. New advances covered in this section include the use of physical medicine modalities for respiratory muscle rest and technological advances in the management of airway secretions in both pulmonary and neurological disorders. For the former, these approaches can decrease symptoms and the frequency of hospitalization and increase exercise tolerance and quality of life. The use of physical medicine modalities will be discussed as inspiratory and expiratory muscle aids. These methods, when used as alternatives to tracheal intubation and long-term tracheostomy in patients with neurological disorders, improve quality of life, minimize cost, enhance survival, and facilitate community care.