Psychological and Physiological Changes Accompanying Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients with Chronic Pulmonary Emphysema

Abstract

In 14 patients with chronic pulmonary emphysema, the relations between changes in psychological status associated with pulmonary rehabilitation and exercise tolerance were studied with the Cornell Medical Index and the Yatabe-Guiford Personality Inventory. Although the scores on the latter did not change, the cardio-respiratory score on the Cornell Medical Index improved significantly (p<0.05). The only index of exercise tolerance that improved significantly was the distance walked in 10 minutes (p<0.05). The changes in the scores of “Lack of Objectivity” and “Rhathymia” correlated negatively with the change in the distance walked in 10 minutes (R=-0.80, p<0.01; R=-0.81, p<0.01). The change in psychological status that accompanied pulmonary rehabilitation has been related to the improvement in the distance walked in 10 minutes.