Abstract

TONGUINO, Stefanie  and  WILCHES, Esther Cecilia. Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Lung Transplant Candidates: A Systematic Review. Rev. Cienc. Salud [online]. 2013, vol.11, n.3, pp.323-332. ISSN 1692-7273.

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) aims to improve physical fitness and to decrease symptoms in patients with chronic lung disease; how ever there is not clear evidence regarding the benefits of PR in candidates for lung transplantation (LT). Objective. To determine the effectiveness of PR in LT candidates and also to find out how quality of life and exercise tolerance affects the survival of these patients. Methodology. Electronic databases (Medline, Cochrane, PEDro, Scient Direct and SciELO) Search of articles in spanish, english or portuguese; controlled clinical trials and cohort studies published between 2000-2011 regarding PR in candidates for LT, the model of Cochrane systematic reviews was used. Results. The papers included were four cohort, two of which regarded of survival pre LT using the six minutes walking test (6MWT); a study of quality of life related to post LT survival and an exercise tolerance study. Controlled clinical trial was not found. Conclusions. The information found in the included studies had clinical and methodological heterogeneity therefore a meta-analysis could not been undertaken. The PR should be considered as an essential part to maintain the exercise tolerance and the patient's survival. Research regarding this subject is important and should be carried out.

Keywords : Transplantation; Survival; Quality of Life; Exercise; Pulmonary Disease.

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