Nutritional supplementation during pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD: Do not expect an elixir of life but keep the hunger for more robust evidence

摘要

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a complex interdisciplinary intervention based on a thorough patient assessment, followed by patient-tailored therapies. These include, but are not limited to, exercise training, dietary counseling, education, and behavior change to improve the physical and psychological condition of people with chronic respiratory disease. Promoting long-term adherence to health-enhancing behaviors is at the essence. PR for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has proved its merits in terms of improving many domains including dyspnea, fatigue, exercise capacity, self-management, and health status. Also, studies have suggested lower exacerbation frequency and health-care utilization after completion of PR. Further optimizing components of the intervention is an important focus of current research in the field of PR.