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Introduction: Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema has recently been recognized as a syndrome but remains under-diagnosed. Neither clinical management nor therapeutic approaches have been clearly defined. Pulmonary rehabilitation has not been considered within the therapeutic options for combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema. In this case we explored the potential benefits of a specific aerobic physical retraining program in the management of combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema., Case Presentation: We describe the case of a 65-year-old Caucasian man with combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema and respiratory failure who was receiving long-term oxygen therapy. Our patient underwent physical retraining with moderate intensity aerobic and breathing exercises for four weeks. Clinical and motor tests, as well as questionnaires assessing quality of life and depression levels, were performed prior to and following the retraining. At the end of the retraining program a relevant reduction of long-term oxygen therapy requirement was registered; improvements in terms of physical performance, quality of life, and mood were observed in our patient but no change in respiratory parameters., Conclusions: A program of aerobic physical retraining appears to be beneficial to patients with combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema and may be considered as an additional therapeutic option.

Purpose: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programs have been shown to improve functional status, exercise performance, and quality of life (QOL) and decrease perception of exertion in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The purpose of this study was to identify the dose effect of PR on the outcome variables of activity level, perceived exertion, and physical and mental QOL., Methods: The study used a retrospective explanatory design. The sample (N = 104) included records of individuals diagnosed with chronic bronchitis and emphysema who attended a PR program from 2000 to 2005 at a Midwest inner-city, academic medical center. Participants attended rehabilitation sessions 2 to 3 days per week for approximately 90 minutes each day; maximum duration of the program was 3 months (24 sessions). The PR dose was calculated by multiplying the number of PR sessions with the number of weeks attended., Results: There were 32 men and 72 women, with a mean age of 59.9 years +/- 10.2 years. All patients were retired or unemployed, and 99% used oxygen during exercise. A higher PR dose was significantly related to improvement in activity level measured by maximum metabolic equivalent (MET) level achieved. A nonsignificant but minimally clinically important difference was found on the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 (SF-36) outcomes of mental and physical QOL., Conclusions: The findings of the current study support a significant relationship between PR dose and activity level (maximum MET level achieved). Physical and mental QOL improved clinically after PR. Optimal program outcomes were related to greater patient participation in supervised PR.

Purposes: To evaluate two generic and two disease-specific measures of health-related quality of life (QOL) using prerandomization data from the National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT)., Method: The analyses used data collected from the 1,218 subjects who were randomized in the NETT. Patients completed evaluations before and after completion of the prerandomization phase of the NETT pulmonary rehabilitation program. Using data obtained prior to participation in the rehabilitation program, QOL measures were evaluated against physiologic and functional criteria using correlational analysis. The physiologic criteria included estimates of emphysema severity based on FEV(1) and measures of Pao(2) obtained with the subject at rest and breathing room air. Functional measures included the 6-min walk distance (6MWD), maximum work, and hospitalizations in the prior 3 months., Results: Correlation coefficients between QOL measures ranged from -0.31 to 0.70. In comparison to normative samples, scores on general QOL measures were low, suggesting that the NETT participants were quite ill. All QOL measures were modestly but significantly correlated with FEV(1), maximum work, and 6MWD. Patients who had stayed overnight in a hospital in the prior 3 months reported lower QOL on average than those who had not been hospitalized. There were significant improvements for all QOL measures following the rehabilitation program, and improvements in QOL were correlated with improvements in 6MWD., Comment: The disease-specific and general QOL measures used in the NETT were correlated. Analyses suggested that these measures improved significantly following the rehabilitation phase of the NETT.

This study aims at evaluating the effects of lung volume reduction versus respiratory rehabilitation on quality of life, assessed by three different questionnaires. Sixty emphysematous patients were randomised by computer to receive either surgery (n = 30) or rehabilitation (n = 30). Life quality was evaluated by the Nottingham Health Profile, the Short Form (SF)-36 item and the St George's questionnaires. As reported previously, dyspnoea index, forced expiratory volume in one second, residual volume, 6-min walk test and arterial oxygen tension improved after surgery more than after rehabilitation. Quality of life was significantly improved after surgery as follows Nottingham Health Profile physical mobility; SF-36 physical and social functioning, mental and general health, emotional role; St George's general, activity. At multivariate analysis 6- and 12-month changes after surgery of Short Form-36 physical functioning, general health, and St George's activity domains were significantly correlated with forced expiratory volume in one second, while Short Form-36 social functioning and Nottingham Health Profile isolation correlated with residual volume. Functional and especially symptomatic improvements persisted: dyspnoea index, residual volume, and Short Form-36 and St Georges's physical scores were still significant at 4 yrs. Surgery produces greater and longer effects than rehabilitation on quality of life by improving both physical and psychosocial domains. Symptomatic improvements persisted at 4 yrs.

Introduction: Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) and pulmonary rehabilitation are newer options available in the treatment of advanced emphysema. We describe the progress of our first local patient to have undergone these 2 new treatment modalities., Clinical Picture: A 65-year-old man with advanced emphysema, limited by crippling dyspnoea despite maximal medical therapy with inhaled bronchodilator therapy, methylxanthines and supplementary oxygen., Treatment: Physical reconditioning with a 4-week inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation programme, followed by LVRS and a further 6-week outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation., Outcome: Dramatic improvements in spirometric indices, arterial blood gases, exercise capacity and overall functional status. Improvements maintained at one-year follow up period., Conclusions: LVRS with pulmonary rehabilitation is an exciting new treatment option in a select group of patients with advanced emphysema. Their role in improving overall performance status and quality of life should be considered in patients otherwise considered to have reached the limits of medical therapy.

Background: Exercise training is recommended before lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) in patients with emphysema. Unfortunately, many of these patients are referred from remote areas where there is no available rehabilitation program. The authors evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of a minimally supervised home-based exercise training program., Methods: Twenty-three emphysematous patients (age 61 +/- 6, forced expiratory volume in 1 second = 29 +/- 7% predicted [mean +/- SD]) were recruited from our LVRS program. Measurements of pulmonary function, maximal and submaximal exercise capacity, 6-minute walking distance (6-MWD), muscle strength, and quality of life with the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire were obtained before and after training. Home-based exercise training program included muscle exercises and aerobic training, and started with detailed teaching while the follow-up was ensured through weekly phone calls and a diary filled by each patient., Results: Significant increases in 6-MWD (P < 0.001), quality of life (P < 0.005), peak work rate (P < 0.05), peak oxygen consumption (P < 0.05), endurance time (P < 0.005), and muscle strength were observed in the home-based exercise training program., Conclusions: Home-based exercise training for patients in preparation for LVRS was feasible, and induced significant improvement in exercise tolerance and quality of life.

Exercise reconditioning has long been considered an essential component of the pulmonary rehabilitation regime. To investigate the long-term effects of exercise training on exercise endurance and dyspnea in patients with chronic pulmonary emphysema (CPE), we developed a supervised exercise program using bicycle ergometers. Nineteen patients (mean age: 67) with moderate to severe airflow limitation (average FEV1/FVC, 39.8%) were enrolled in a predominantly outpatient rehabilitation program. After their lactate thresholds were measured by an incremental symptom-limited maximum test, patients engaged in exercise training 15 to 30 minutes per day in an arbitrary frequency and at a work rate at or below their lactate threshold (average: 20.1 w). No significant improvements were observed in resting pulmonary function, blood gas, nutrition, or systemic muscle volume. After long-term exercise training (average period: 33 months; average frequency: 6.5 times per month, individually), the patients demonstrated significantly improved exercise endurance and relief of their dyspnea during exercise. These findings provide a physiologic rationale for long-term exercise training by patients with CPE.

Physical fitness was studied in patients with chronic pulmonary emphysema using Kraus-Weber methods in addition to pulmonary function and exercise tolerance. In Kraus-Weber tests, explosive strength of abdominal muscles in these patients were within the normal range, but both abdominal and back muscle endurance were significantly diminished compared to age-matched controls. On the other hand, flexibility was not different between the patients and the controls, although large variation was present. Exercise performance as assessed by 6 minutes' walk distance in patients was significantly correlated with FEV1.0, DLco and maximal inspiratory mouth pressure, as well as explosive strength of abdominal muscles and abdominal and back muscle endurance capacity. Treadmill walking training for 20 minutes with a load greater than 80% VO2max, twice a week for 2 months was performed in 11 patients with mild to moderate pulmonary emphysema. Six minutes' walk distance (6MD) was significantly prolonged with improvement of back muscle endurance and flexibility. Another walking training consisting of five repetitions of two minutes' near maximal walking and a two minute interval of rest was performed in 6 patients with severe pulmonary emphysema. 6MD tended to increase with improvement of both back and abdominal muscle endurance. However, pulmonary function tests and VO2max showed no significant changes after both types of training. Improved walked distance after the training was significantly correlated with improved VO2 at AT. Furthermore VO2, VE, HR and lactate production during exercise at the same load were significantly decreased compared to pre-training. Dyspnea sensation measured by modified Borg scale during exercise was improved after the training. It is concluded that a physical training program adapted to the condition of the individual patients could improve exercise performance, and should be prescribed in addition to medication.