Effectiveness of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Interstitial Lung Disease, Including Coronavirus Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

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Post-COVID-19 Pulmonary Fibrosis

“…About 14% of COVID-19 patients experience severe disease, and 6% develop critical illness. According to the most recent clinical guidelines, pulmonary rehabilitation could improve physical and psychological conditions, including exercise training, education, and behavioral changes [61]. Patients who underwent respiratory illness and mixed respiratory and surgical populations could improve muscle strength, walking, and functional ability with significant positive effects in the six minutes walking test (6MWT) and Barthel index [62].…”

“…Patients who underwent respiratory illness and mixed respiratory and surgical populations could improve muscle strength, walking, and functional ability with significant positive effects in the six minutes walking test (6MWT) and Barthel index [62]. Pulmonary rehabilitation has been applied with positive results in severe cases with pulmonary fibrosis [61].…”

Research Progress in the Treatment of Complications and Sequelae of COVID-19

“…In addition, pulmonary rehabilitation is also necessary for COVID-19 patients. It was demonstrated that different pulmonary rehabilitation interventions, including combined exercise (aerobic with strength), combined exercise with specific respiratory exercises, and aerobic exercises with specific respiratory muscle training, could obviously improve pulmonary functional and quality of life of patients recovered from severe COVID-19 ( 78 ). It was also recommended that rehabilitation care is crucial for patients with severe COVID-19, which should be implemented as soon as possible, and performed at the same time with regular treatment of COVID-19 according to the correct assessment ( 79 ).…”

Challenging the Evidence for Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Pulmonary Fibrosis

“…We accept, however, that differences in pathophysiology, comorbidities, phenotypes/endotypes, and therapeutic options between diseases means disease-specific evidence is essential to inform clinical decision-making. In this issue of CHEST, Nolan and colleagues 3 contribute knowledge to the increasing body of evidence of PR for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) 4,5 and present interesting food for thought for guideline developers and policymakers.…”