ABSTRACT
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease cannot reverse their disease process but can do much to improve functional abilities through pulmonary rehabilitation. Pulmonary rehabilitation has been defined by the American Thoracic Society as a comprehensive program aimed at improving the functioning ability of the patient with chronic pulmonary disease. The key to any individualized patient program is an initial evaluation that is comprehensive, repeatable, and, most important, time efficient. There are three main physical areas which should be assessed before beginning pulmonary rehabilitation: strength, flexibility, and endurance. To evaluate strength, a gross test of the large muscle groups is sufficient. Once the evaluation is complete, design and implementation of the exercise program can be straightforward. At facility, the patient is given an empty folder on the first day. Into this all booklets, handouts, and home instruction materials can be placed as they are introduced.
