X3.6 Pulmonary rehabilitation

A pulmonary rehabilitation program that includes supervised exercise training can be initiated immediately following an acute exacerbation and has shown to be safe. (Puhan et al., 2009a) Such a program improves functional exercise capacity, health-related quality of life, and reduces unplanned hospital admissions and mortality (Puhan et al., 2009a) [evidence level I].

A list of pulmonary rehabilitation programs known to The Australian Lung Foundation can be accessed at http://www.lungfoundation.com.au/professional-resources/pulmonary-rehabilitation-co-ordinators/programs. The individual contact details can be obtained by calling the Lung Foundation’s Information and Support Centre (free-call 1800 654 301).