Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Therapacc is proud of our unique, community-based Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program. Funded by the Central East CCAC, this service assists clients living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and operates at the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, is the fourth leading cause of death among Canadians, behind heart disease, cancers and cerebrovascular disease (which includes stroke). The Lung Association’s recent publication Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): A National Report Card found that in Ontario:
 
• 89% of physicians say they have recommended
  pulmonary rehabilitation to their COPD patients
 
• 24 pulmonary rehabilitation facilities provide 41
  programs; total number of patients served
  each year is about 3,200 or only 1.2% of
  Ontario’s COPD population

In 2003, the Canadian Thoracic Society – the medical arm of the Canadian Lung Association – established a set of best practices for various settings and clients with COPD. The guidelines outlined these goals:
 
• Prevent disease progression
• Reduce and alleviate breathlessness and other
  respiratory symptoms
• Improve exercise tolerance
• Prevent and treat flare-ups
• Reduce mortality

The Canadian Thoracic Society’s published “COPD Guidelines” clearly attribute the improvements in exercise performance and shortness of breath to the exercise training component of rehabilitation programs. While some programs merely encourage exercise and/ or provide exercise guidelines, compliance with the exercise component of a rehab program is ensured when the exercise is supervised. Many clients living with COPD are reluctant to exercise unsupervised due to fears of increasing their symptoms and because they are unable to “pace” themselves correctly without observation and cueing.

Role of Physiotherapy & Respiratory Therapy in Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Most people living with COPD have other health conditions that affect their ability to participate in exercise programs designed for the typical, healthy population. These may include coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, osteoporosis, arthritis, diabetes or other conditions that require adaptation of the exercises performed to prevent unintended “flare-ups.” Some are learning to exercise while using supplemental oxygen, while others require frequent monitoring of their oxygen saturation levels during exercise to ensure a safe range is maintained.

Physiotherapists and Respiratory Therapists are regulated health professionals with the expertise required to ensure safe, high quality exercise programs that are client-centred. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs aim to maximize mobility and function without worsening COPD symptoms or aggravating other conditions.