Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Lung Transplantation

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a comprehensive intervention that helps people with chronic lung disease to safely increase their physical function. The effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease, interstitial lung disease, and cystic fibrosis is well documented, but there is a lack of knowledge regarding the results of pulmonary rehabilitation before and after lung transplantation. Physical therapists are an integral part of the transplantation team, and they serve an important role in helping lung transplant recipients achieve optimal results (improved functional level, increased survival, and improved quality of life).