Obstructive Ventilatory Dysfunctions-Functional Assessment and Rehabilitation Program.

Abstract

Background: Obstructive ventilatory dysfunctions have an increased incidence, and through functional assessment determined by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), appropriate treatment can be established.

Aims: The objectives of our research are represented by the application of respiratory rehabilitation sessions according to the ICF in patients with obstructive ventilatory dysfunctions-with COPD or asthma, using a unique, international language and the evaluation of the results obtained before and after completion pulmonary rehabilitation.

Methods: We conducted a randomized prospective study between November 2022-April 2023, which included 84 patients diagnosed with obstructive ventilatory dysfunctions and who performed respiratory rehabilitation. They were divided into two categories: category 1-C1 which included 43 patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-COPD and category 2-C2 which included 41 patients diagnosed with asthma. The rehabilitation program lasted 8 weeks, with exercises performed from Monday to Friday, with a weekend break. Respiratory rehabilitation consisted of physical therapy, inspiratory and expiratory muscle training (IEMT), proper nutrition, and psychotherapy.

Results: At the end of the program, most of the patients showed improvements in the ICF qualifiers, a fact that supported us that respiratory recovery is one of the basic therapies of patients with obstructive ventilatory dysfunctions.

Conclusions: The ICF allows the application of a personalized respiratory rehabilitation program. The ICF qualifiers are used for the functional assessment of patients and allow they to be included in individualized medical rehabilitation programs.