Your pulmonary rehabilitation team will meet with you to assess your needs and will work with you to develop an exercise program designed specifically for you. They will advise you about which exercises will give you the best results, how often you should do them, for how long, and at what level. They will give you information on how to maintain your exercise abilities on a regular basis. Research at this time does not support the use of VMT for everyone. However, it may be helpful for some patients with COPD who have respiratory muscle weakness and breathlessness.
Some patients never experience any significant emotional distress as a result of their disease.
But for many, COPD can cause depression, anxiety, or other emotional problems. Relationships with family and friends. Lack of social support. Support may be provided through patient education programs, or as part of support or stress management groups. Patients are counseled about depression and anxiety, taught relaxation skills, encouraged to talk about their feelings, and learn the importance of giving and receiving emotional support from others.