Key Points

Pulmonary rehabilitation is one of the key recommended approaches in the treatment of COPD.*

• PR is an essential treatment for those with COPD MRC 3 or more
• At referral it should be explained to patient what programme involves, benefits of attending and patients should be encouraged to attend and complete programme.
• PR incorporates comprehensive assessment, supervised exercise classes, education sessions and self-management advice/guidance.
• Exercise is important for people with lung disease. PR sessions are set at an appropriate level for each individual.

Additional information

Effectiveness of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Reducing Health Resources Use in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Mateu Rubí, MD et al. March 2010 Volume 91, Issue 3, Pages 364–368  Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Archive BTS Guideline on Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Adults Thorax September 2013 Volume 68 Supplement 2 Managing COPD using pulmonary rehabilitation: a literature review Mukundu L, Matiti MR (2015) Managing COPD using pulmonary rehabilitation: a literature review. Nursing Standard. 30, 14, 38-43. Date of submission: October 31 2014; date of acceptance: March 10 2015. *McCarthy B, Casey D, Devane D, Murphy K, Murphy E, Lacasse Y. Pulmonary rehabilitation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2015, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD003793. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003793.pub3