Clinical Outcomes of pulmonary rehabilitation programs in Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22815208Keywords:
pulmonary rehabilitation, COPD, exercise capacity, quality of life, exacerbationAbstract
Background: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a guideline-recommended, multidisciplinary intervention combining supervised exercise training, education, and self-management support for COPD, yet real-world referral and completion rates remain low despite consistent evidence of benefit.
Objective: This review synthesizes published evidence on clinical outcomes of PR programs in COPD, covering exercise capacity, dyspnea, quality of life, exacerbation risk, and program-design factors.
Methods: We synthesized randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and major society statements addressing supervised PR, home-based and tele-rehabilitation models, exercise modalities, and maintenance strategies in stable and post-exacerbation COPD.
Findings: PR produces clinically important gains in six-minute walk distance and peak exercise capacity, meaningful reductions in dyspnea and improvements in quality of life, and when initiated after an acute exacerbation, is associated with fewer readmissions and lower mortality; benefits attenuate over 12-24 months without maintenance.
Conclusions: Pulmonary rehabilitation remains among the most effective non-pharmacological interventions in COPD, and expanding access through home-based, tele-rehabilitation, and early post-exacerbation delivery models is central to closing the gap between efficacy and real-world uptake.
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