Rachael Lowe

Rachael Lowe is Co-Founder and Executive Director of Physiopedia. A physiotherapist and technology specialist Rachael has been working with Physiopedia since 2008 to create a resource that provides universal access to physiotherapy knowledge as well as a platform for connecting and educating the global physiotherapy profession.

Benefits of a Home-Based Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program for Patients With Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

December 2, 2007 by Rachael Lowe

Regiane Resqueti V, Gorostiza A, Galdiz J, Lopez de Santa Maria E, Casan Clara P, Guell Rous R

The benefits of a domicilary pulmonary rehabilitation programme for patients with severe to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are uncertain. This study aimed to assess the short to medium term efficacy of such a program.

Patients with severe COPD and incapacitating dyspnoea (MRC) were randomised to control or domicilary rehabilitation groups. Assessed at baseline, 9 weeks and 6 months was lung function, exercise tolerance, dyspnoea and health related quality of life.

38 patients were enrolled, 29 completed the programme (6 months). A number of improvements were noted in the rehabilitation group and were maintained at 6 months.

Home based pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with severe to very severe COPD and severe functional incapacity leads to improvements in exercise tolerance and health related quality of life that are maintained at 6 months.

Archives de Bronchoneumologia 2007, 43 (11) : 599-604

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