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Treatments for pulmonary fibrosis

Pulmonary rehabilitation

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program of education and monitored exercise for people with lung diseases. It is designed to help improve your symptoms and overall well-being.1,2 Pulmonary rehabilitation can have many benefits, such as helping you manage your breathing, giving you more energy, and improving your quality of life.3-5

A pulmonary rehabilitation program includes1,4,5:

  • Physical conditioning
  • Exercise training and breathing exercises
  • Anxiety, stress, and depression management
  • Advice and support to improve your diet
  • Education about pulmonary fibrosis

A team of specialists, such as doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, social workers, and dieticians, generally run pulmonary rehabilitation programs.1

You can receive pulmonary rehabilitation in your home, community, or local hospital.1

Pulmonary rehabilitation

Pulmonary rehabilitation can help4,5:

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Decrease the symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis (such as breathlessness and tiredness)
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Improve function in daily living
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Improve mental
well-being
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Important

It is important to continue exercising even after completing your pulmonary rehabilitation program. Many courses offer a long-term exercise plan to help maintain the benefits you have gained.

See whether lung transplantation is an option for you.

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Abbreviations: ILD, interstitial lung disease; IPF, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; PF, pulmonary fibrosis; RA-ILD, rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease.

  1. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Pulmonary rehabilitation. Updated March 24, 2022. Accessed October 2, 2024. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/pulreh/

  2. Kenn K, Gloeckl R, Behr J. Pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a review. Respiration. 2013;86(2):89-99.

  3. Cottin V, Crestani B, Valeyre D, et al. Diagnosis and management of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: French practical guidelines. Eur Respir Rev. 2014;23:193-124.

  4. Dowman L, Hill CJ, May A, Holland AE. Pulmonary rehabilitation for interstitial lung disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;10:CD006322.

  5. Raghu G, Collard HR, Egan JJ, et al. An official ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT statement: idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: evidence-based guidelines for diagnosis and management. 
Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2011;183(6):788-824.