2006 OPEN FORUM Abstracts
EXERCISE CAPACITY IN PULMONARY REHABILITATION PATIENTS WITH RESTRICTIVE LUNG DISEASE
- Gerilynn L. Connors,
RRT, FAACVPR, Susan Farrell, RRT, NPS, AE-C, Judith Shumway, RRT, Sidnie
Hess, RRT, AE-C, Heather Montilla, RRT, Junk Leah RRT, Jill Baker RRT, Tom
Malinowski, RRT, FAARC, Tom Arrowsmith, RRT, James Lamberti, MD. Inova Fairfax
Hospital, Falls Church, VA.
Background: Pulmonary Rehabilitation programs have traditionally focused on patients
with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
We have experienced an increase in the number of patients who disease
etiology is restrictive in nature. We
hypothesize that the exercise capacity within this subset of patients who
participate in a comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation program can be
improved. We report on the exercise
capacity in a cohort of patients with Restrictive Lung Disease.
Methods:
Retrospective Analysis of pre- and post exercise capacity as evidenced
by the 6-minute walk test (6MWT).
Results: 18 restrictive lung disease patients received
pre- and post 6 MWT. The average pre
distance was 1,126 ft with a post of 1,488 ft.
The average BORG scale (0-10) to measure dyspnea pre was 2.61 and post
was 1.75. The average level of energy
expenditure (MET) as calculated to correlate with function level pre was 2.73
and post was 2.99.
Conclusions: Exercise training from a comprehensive pulmonary
rehabilitation program in the patient population with restrictive lung disease
resulted in improved exercise tolerance and functional level. It is imperative that patients with a
diagnosis of restrictive lung disease be referred to pulmonary rehabilitation
to improve their function and exercise levels.