Pulmonary Rehabilitation
What is it?
Pulmonary rehabilitation is designed to help people living with a lung condition, who experience breathlessness during their daily activities.
It is run by a team of healthcare professionals including a Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Dietitian, and Respiratory Nurse.
The program includes:
- Interactive information about how to look after your body and lungs
- Advice and education on how to manage your lung condition
- Techniques to manage breathlessness
- Exercise classes
The specialist team are here to help you, and support you with the right options for you.
Evidence shows that pulmonary rehabilitation can improve an individual’s ability to exercise, reduce symptoms of breathlessness and fatigue, and promote positive long-term benefits to both physical and mental health.
Who is it for?
Pulmonary rehabilitation is aimed at people living with a chronic lung condition such as:
- COPD
- Bronchiectasis
- Pulmonary fibrosis & ILD
- Chronic asthma
What to expect?
A Telephone conversation with one of our team will be orgainised, for you to discuss your lung condition, and how it affects your daily life. Your information will then be discussed with the wider team and you will be invited to attend an initial 1:1 assessment with a healthcare professional.
If suitable, you will be invited to attend sessions twice a week for 6 weeks. Sessions consist of supervised exercise and education, and last approximately 90 minutes. You will be in a group with other people with the same or similar conditions.
Courses are held at various venues across Rhondda Cynon Taff and Merthyr. You can attend at a venue that is closest to where you live.
Can anyone access this service?
Pulmonary rehabilitation is available to people with a diagnosed lung condition, who experience breathlessness that impacts on their activities of daily living.
The program may not be suitable for you if you have:
- Certain health conditions e.g. heart problems
If you are unsure if the program will be suitable for you, please speak to your GP or other healthcare professional.
Patient Story
How to use your inhaler | Asthma + Lung UK
Useful Links
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) | Asthma + Lung UK (asthmaandlung.org.uk)
- Physiotherapy Works: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) | The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (csp.org.uk)
- COPDhub – Healthhub
- Help Me Quit | Stop Smoking Services In Wales
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation Leaflet (English)