Pulmonary Rehabilitation – Historical Outline, Programs and Physiotherapeutic Treatment

Abstract

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is the basis of an integrated treatment program for patients suffering from chronic respiratory diseases. Contributing to the reduction of dyspnoea and fatigue, increase in exercise tolerance and improvement in functional capabilities and emotional state, PR growths participation in social life, and reduces utilization of health care. Despite the scientifically proven benefits of its use, it is very often, for a variety of reasons, insufficiently exploited or even unavailable. The article presents a brief history of pulmonary rehabilitation and emphasizes the importance of developing PR programs. The aim of the paper is to increase interest in issues related to pulmonary rehabilitation, including its key element - physiotherapy and to persuade professionals dealing with the treatment of respiratory diseases, to implement this form of therapy and become familiar with the current international guidelines, that create foundation of pulmonary rehabilitation programs.