Effectiveness of the respiratory rehabilitation program in patients with mental disorders

Abstract

Background: respiratory conditions in patients who suffer from mental disorders are a health problem. Treatment represents a challenge for the medical practice.Objective: to determine the effectiveness of the respiratory rehabilitation program in patients with mental disorders attended to at “Clodomira Acosta Ferrales” Provincial Psychiatric Hospital of Las Tunas, from October 2012 to October 2015.Methods: a longitudinal, prospective and interventional study was carried out in a sample of 60 patients of the hospital and during the period herein mentioned. The respiratory rehabilitation program was applied. The dyspnea scale and an autonomy guide were used in order to conduct the assessment before and after the intervention. The data were dealt with according to descriptive statistics.Results: the most elevated percentage of patients belonged to the 60 to 69 age group, being more frequent in the male sex. Chronic bronchitis was the condition with the highest incidence, followed by COPD. Most of the patients achieved a decrease of dyspnea and a better tolerance to exercise. An improvement concerning vital signs was obtained; therefore there was an increase in the functional capacity and autonomy.Conclusions: the respiratory rehabilitation program proved to be of great benefit, since there was an increase in the tolerance to exercise, better functional capacity and higher independence to carry out daily activities.

Keywords

• respiratory tract diseases
• bronchitis, chronic
• rehabilitation