ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the effect on cardiopulmonary function of early rehabilitation after lung transplantation.Methods:Forty patients undergoing lung transplantation were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each of 20. Both groups received routine rehabilitation treatment, psychological counseling and health education about rehabilitation, medications and nutrition. The observation group was additionally given systematic early lung rehabilitation treatment as soon as their vital signs were stable after the operation. It included body position transfers, aerobic training, resistance training and breathing training 3 to 5 times a week for 4 weeks supervised by physical therapists. The control group were informed about methods of aerobic training, respiratory training and airway clearance but carried them out by themselves. The percentage of forced expiratory volume (FVC%), FVC in the first second (FEV1%, ) and FEV1%/ FVC% of the two groups were evaluated using a bedside lung function instrument before the lung transplantation and after 4 weeks of treatment. The six-minute walking distances (6MWDs) of the two groups were compared and their facility in the activities of daily living was evaluated using the modified Barthel index (MBI).Results:Before treatment, there was no significant difference in the average FEV1%, FVC%, FEV1%/FVC%, 6MWD or MBI ratings between the two groups. After the 4 weeks of treatment, both groups showed significant improvement in all of those measurements, on average. The observation group′s averages were, however, significantly better than those of the control group.Conclusion:Early rehabilitation after lung transplantation helps to improve cardiopulmonary function and promote a better quality of life.