Effects of Chest Physiotherapy on Reducing Dyspnea and Enhancing Functional Independence and Quality of Life in Multilobar Pneumonia: A Case Report

Bronchopneumonia is characterized by inflammation of the lungs, predominantly affecting the bronchioles, whereas lobar pneumonia is a bacterial infection that leads to inflammation primarily in the alveoli and lung lobes. We present the case of a 65-year-old male patient who presented with complaints of breathlessness and cough accompanied by whitish expectoration, ultimately diagnosed with multilobar pneumonia. The patient was subsequently referred for chest physiotherapy to address these complaints. As physiotherapists, we employed a range of treatments, including early mobility, active breathing exercises, and airway clearance techniques. This case underscores the significance of chest physiotherapy for patients with multilobar pneumonia. Outcome measures included the Modified Medical Research Council dyspnea grading scale, the Functional Independence Measure score, and the Numerical Pain Rating Scale. Following the rehabilitation program, improvements were observed in all outcome measures. These findings indicate that a tailored pulmonary rehabilitation program can significantly benefit patients with pneumonia by reducing dyspnea and enhancing functional independence and quality of life.