From Dyspnoea to Strength: ‘The Impact of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Advanced Lung Disease’

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a well-established, multidisciplinary intervention designed to improve the functional capacity, quality of life and symptom management of patients with advanced lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease and bronchiectasis, defined as a later stage of the condition, in which the symptoms are poorly responsive to treatment and continually worsen over time. This review explores the mechanisms through which PR alleviates dyspnoea and enhances physical and psychological strength in affected individuals. It covers key components of PR, its physiological and clinical benefits, barriers to implementation and future advancements, including home-based and digital PR solutions.