Pulmonary rehabilitation

Programmes focus on education and exercise. They're usually arranged by specialist nurses and physiotherapists. They usually last 6 to 12 weeks and include 2 to 3 sessions per week in a gymnasium or local hall. For individuals living rurally or remotely, there may be on-line programmes and support from their regional hospital or PHO (Primary Health Organisation). The 2 main components of a pulmonary rehabilitation programme are exercise, and education about specific lung conditions and safe and effective ways of breathing and exercising.

Exercise

• An individual exercise programme is designed for you and takes your health into account.
• The programme is gentle at first but should increase as your fitness improves.
• You should be given home exercises so that when the programme ends you will know how to stay well and fit at home.
• Exercise and daily measures to clear your airways should continue during and after the programme. Do at least 20 to 30 minutes of exercise most days – preferably every day. More is better. “Huffing and puffing” or feeling breathless won't cause harm, but should be under your control at all times.

Image credit: Canva

The physiotherapist or respiratory nurse can discuss other activity options such as Sing your lungs out(external link), a community-based singing group for people with lung disease. Read more about singing for lung health(external link).

Education

The education session covers information and tips on topics such as:

• your lung disease or condition and how to manage it
• how to eat a healthy and balanced diet
• energy-conserving techniques
• breathing strategies
• psychological counselling and/or group support.

This 2-part series aims to encourage people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other lung problems to participate in a pulmonary rehabilitation programme. Doing exercise is an effective way of reducing your symptoms and improving your overall health.

Video: Understanding pulmonary rehabilitation part 1

(King's College Hospital, UK, 2007)

Video: Understanding pulmonary rehabilitation part 2

(Kings College Hospital, UK, 2007)

Attending a programme won't cure your lung disease or completely ease your breathing problems, but it can help you function better in your daily life. Pulmonary rehabilitation improves the quality of life and reduces hospital admissions of people with COPD and other long-term lung conditions..

Taking part in pulmonary rehabilitation should improve your fitness and muscle strength. This makes you feel more confident to do things. It helps you use the oxygen you breathe more efficiently and helps you cope better with feeling out of breath. It can also help you feel better mentally.

Anybody, including those who smoke or vape, can benefit from attending pulmonary rehabilitation, as the programme focuses on improving quality of life.

Ask your healthcare provider about a pulmonary rehabilitation programme in your area. There are a range of programmes around the country, including some offered by local Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora local or regional hospitals, or branches of the Asthma & Respiratory Foundation(external link). Some are designed for Māori or Pacific Peoples. 

You can search for a pulmonary rehabilitation service(external link) in your area (put your address into the Healthpoint search box). 

Jeannie's story

Jeannie Sullivan started smoking when she was 21. She started with a packet lasting a fortnight and slowly moved onto a packet a day by her late 30s. Jeannie is proud to say she finally stopped smoking about 10 years ago.

Unfortunately, the damage had been done. Jeannie thought she had asthma so went to her GP and was told she had emphysema or COPD.

Jeannie says one of the best things that ever happened to her was going to pulmonary rehabilitation. She looked forward to the twice a week classes and socialising, getting fit and learning about how to manage COPD. Read about how it changed her life: One of the best things that ever happened to me – going to rehab!(external link) 

Video: Pulmonary rehabilitation for chronic lung conditions

This video is about pulmonary rehabilitation. The first part of the video (up to 8 minutes) has simple exercises that you can do at home. Then there's information about changes you can make to improve your symptoms, such as exercising, quitting smoking, breathing techniques, etc. 

(NHS Forth Valley, UK, 2017)

Video: Pulmonary rehabilitation exercises at home

(NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, UK, 2020)

Video: Exercise for COPD – improve your strength and mobility

(NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, UK, 2021)