J Korean Acad Nurs.  2007 Apr;37(3):343-352.

Effects of an Inpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program on Dyspnea, Exercise Capacity, and Health Related Quality of Life for Patients with Chronic Lung Disease

• Lee CK

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program on dyspnea, exercise capacity, and health related quality of life in inpatients with chronic lung disease. METHOD: This quasi experimental study was designed with a nonequivalent control group pre-post test time series. Twenty three patients were assigned to the experimental group and nineteen to the control group. The inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program was composed of upper and lower extremity exercise, breathing retraining, inspiratory muscle training, education, relaxation and telephone contacts. This program consisted of 4 sessions with inpatients and 4 weeks at home after discharge. The control group was given a home based pulmonary rehabilitation program at the time of discharge. The outcomes were measured by the Borg score, 6MWD and the Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire(CRQ). RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in dyspnea between the experimental group and control group, but not among time sequence, or interaction between groups and time sequence. Also significant improvements in exercise capacity and health related quality of life were found only in the experimental group. CONCLUSIONS: An Inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program may be a useful intervention to reduce dyspnea, and increase exercise capacity and health related quality of life for chronic lung disease patients.

Keyword

Pulmonary rehabilitation program; Chronic lung disease; Dyspnea; Exercise capacity; Health related quality of life

MeSH Terms

Aged
Attitude to Health
*Breathing Exercises
Chronic Disease
Demography
Dyspnea/*therapy
*Exercise Therapy
Female
Humans
Inpatients
Lung Diseases/nursing/*therapy
Male
Middle Aged
Nursing Evaluation Research
Program Evaluation
*Quality of Life