Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programme

Rehabilitation Centre

Block 3 Level 1

Tel : 6321 4132

Fax : 6326 5495

Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a multidimensional continuum of services directed to persons with pulmonary disease and their families, usually by an interdisciplinary team of specialists, with the goal of achieving and maintaining the individual’s maximum level of independence and functioning in the community.

Many patients with chronic respiratory disorders e.g. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are physically deconditioned as a result of abstinence from physical activity. These patients are caught in a downward spiral resulting eventually in total incapacitation and dyspnea at rest. Hence, even though the underlying respiratory disorder has received optimal drug therapy, many such patients remain dyspneic, with poor effort tolerance and quality of life. Pulmonary Rehabilitation has been shown to improve the symptom of dyspnea, quality of life, and exercise tolerance in patients with COPD. Therefore, exercise training is recommended in the management of these patients.

The SGH PRP includes respiratory physiotherapist supervised exercise training, breathing exercises, and educational sessions. Objective testing including pulmonary function tests, cardiopulmonary exercise tests, and six-minute walk tests will be performed at the beginning and at the end of the program to evaluate response. After completion of the PRP, patients will be referred back to the referral source with a summary report of the results of the PRP.

The inpatient PRP is a 2-week program with daily inpatient sessions on weekdays only. Entry into the program requires evaluation and referral by a Respiratory Physician, and care is transferred under the Rehabilitation Medicine team before commencement.