Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programmes: Structure, Evidence and Outcomes
Learn the components, duration, outcome measures and evidence for pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD, ILD and other chronic lung diseases.
Condition
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Physiotherapy across the COPD spectrum — airway clearance, pulmonary rehabilitation, exercise prescription, and management of acute exacerbations.
ICD-10-CM: J44
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long-term lung condition that makes breathing harder, often causing breathlessness, cough, and reduced stamina. While it can't be cured, a great deal can be done to help people stay active, breathe easier, and feel more in control.
Physiotherapy is central to COPD care, using airway clearance, breathing techniques, and pulmonary rehabilitation exercise to improve fitness and quality of life. In this guide we cover physiotherapy across the COPD spectrum — from breathing retraining and exercise prescription to managing flare-ups — practical guidance for clinicians and clear, encouraging advice so patients understand how movement and self-management help them live well.
The COPD Spectrum Explained: Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema, ACO and Bronchiectasis
Learn how to distinguish chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma–COPD overlap and bronchiectasis using pathology, clinical features, PFT findings and physiotherapy implications.