Abstract Background:Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic lung condition of uncer-tain etiology that causes progressive shortness of breath, cough, reduced exercise tolerance and
quality of life. This may, at least in part, be due to daily physical inactivity. Therefore symptomatic
patients with lung fibrosis may be good candidates for comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation
(PR) programs.
Aim of work:To evaluate the role of PR program in improving the functional status and dysp-nea scale in patients with IPF.
Patients and methods:Thirty patients had IPF, according to the recent consensus statement, were
subjected to PR program that mainly consisted of three sessions per week for 8 week duration. The
program basically consisted of upper and lower extremity exercises, breathing exercise, and chest
physical therapy. Psychological support and patient education rounded out the program. Spirome-tery, diffusion capacity of the lung for carbonmonoxide [DLco], arterial blood gas analysis, 6-minute
walking distance (6MWD), dyspnea rating with the Modified Borg Scale (MBS) and health-related
quality of life (HRQL) score using the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score were
evaluated at baseline, after 4 weeks and at the end of the eighth week of the program.
Results:There were significant improvement in dyspnea score (P= 0.001), 6MWD (P= 0.001),
% predicted of forced vital capacity (FVC% predicted) (P= 0.001) and HRQL (P= 0.001).
However, arterial blood gas values and DLco showed no significant improvement at the end of the
program.