| Abstract |
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to provide long-term pulmonary rehabilitation program (PR) to lung transplant
recipients for more than a year and verify their effectiveness. Methods: A 52-year-old female patient who had bilateral
lung transplantation received an outpatient PR 3 times a week for a total of 97 weeks. The PR applied was composed
of aerobic exercise, strength exercise, breathing exercise, flexibility exercise, and home exercise education. Evaluation was
performed on the participant at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 months after surgery. For each period, the following parameters were
determined: 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), grip strength, respiratory muscle strength, lung function, peak cough flow
rate, skeletal muscle mass (SMM), and skeletal muscle index (SMI). Results: The 6MWD increased up to 12 months
following surgery, and exercise-induced hypoxemia occurred only 3 months following surgery. The grip strength increased
up to 12 months after surgery and decreased at 24 months after surgery. The MIP increased up to 12 months after
surgery, and the MEP increased until 24 months after surgery. The FVC increased up to 12 months following surgery and
FEV1 increased up to 24 months following surgery. PCF increased up to 12 months after surgery. Body weight also
increased steadily until 24 months postoperatively. SMM and SMI increased up to 12 months after surgery, and SMI
decreased at 24 months following surgery. Conclusion: It is essential that the PR for lung transplant recipients be
applied intensively in less than 12 months after surgery, and the goal of the PR should be configured for the purpose
of management in more than 12 months following surgery. |