Pulmonary rehabilitation with respiratory complications of postpolio syndrome.

Pulmonary rehabilitation strives to relieve symptoms, improve functional status, and enhance quality of life for patients with pulmonary disease. This article describes the condition called postpolio syndrome and its associated pulmonary complications. Forty-two percent of the respondents to a national survey on the late effects of polio were experiencing new problems related to breathing. Pulmonary rehabilitation, originally developed to address functional impairment and disability related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, can benefit patients with postpolio syndrome. A case study is presented.