Effectiveness of Three Months Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients with Chronic Respiratory Diseases: A Prospective Interventional Study

INTRODUCTION: Chronic respiratory diseases are associated with persistent dyspnoea, reduced exercise tolerance, impaired pulmonary function and poor health-related quality of life. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a comprehensive, multidisciplinary intervention aimed at improving physical capacity, symptom burden, and overall well-being in such patients.

Aim

OF THE STUDY: To assess the effectiveness of three months of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic respiratory diseases.

Materials And Methods

This is prospective interventional single center study conducted among patients above 18 years of age with chronic respiratory diseases like COPD, asthma, post-tuberculosis sequelae and interstitial lung disease. Baseline and post-rehabilitation assessments were done after completion of a structured three-month pulmonary rehabilitation programme. Outcome measures included modified Medical Research Council dyspnoea scale, Borg dyspnoea score, spirometric parameters, six-minute walk test distance, peak expiratory flow rate, exercise SpO₂ and Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ) scores. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20, and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of participants was 60.22 ± 10.81 years and 72.9% were males. COPD was the most common diagnosis (64.6%). Following pulmonary rehabilitation, significant improvement was observed in dyspnoea severity, exercise capacity, pulmonary function and quality of life. Mean mMRC score reduced from 2.95 ± 0.67 to 1.77 ± 0.72 (p < 0.001), while Borg dyspnoea score decreased from 4.89 ± 1.28 to 2.48 ± 1.22 (p = 0.001). Mean 6MWT distance improved from 250.83 ± 61.19 m to 293.44 ± 65.24 m. Significant improvements were also noted in FEV₁, FVC, FEV₁/FVC ratio, PEFR and exercise SpO₂ values. Mean CRQ score increased from 89.14 ± 14.75 to 109.05 ± 14.82 (p < 0.001). Conclusion: A structured three-month pulmonary rehabilitation programme showed significant improvements in dyspnoea severity, exercise tolerance, pulmonary function, oxygenation during exertion and health-related quality of life in patients with chronic respiratory diseases. These findings reinforce pulmonary rehabilitation as an essential component of comprehensive management and support its wider implementation in routine clinical practice.