RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 New tools in pulmonary rehabilitation
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 1468
OP 1474
DO 10.1183/09031936.00111911
VO 38
IS 6
A1 P.J. Wijkstra
A1 J.B. Wempe
YR 2011
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/6/1468.abstract
AB In patients with more severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the benefits of rehabilitation might not be clear and, therefore, new treatment options have been developed to increase the benefits of rehabilitation. This review provides an overview of new approaches being developed as an addition to exercise training. In turn, the benefits of adding ventilatory support, oxygen, anabolics or neuromuscular stimulation to a rehabilitation programme will be discussed. While positive benefits for a number of these approaches have been found, many questions remain unsolved. Therefore, at present, we cannot recommend these new tools as part of the routine management of patients with COPD who start a rehabilitation programme.