ABSTRACT
Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a multi-disciplinary management programme for patients who have been diagnosed with some form of chronic respiratory impairment. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence have also included a large section in their Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) guidelines dedicated to PR, which highlights the key components that are required to develop an effective class. PR is a combination of exercise training and education. The exercise component should be based on aerobic training. This can be achieved in many ways, but most commonly includes walking. The evidence shows that patients with COPD can exercise to a significantly high level. The steady accumulation of evidence is adding weight to the already inherent knowledge that PR is a vital part of the treatment of COPD. PR aims to optimise the patient's physical and social performance.
