Maintenance programmes following pulmonary rehabilitation in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: exercise, drugs and rock n’ roll

The evidence for pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) as a non-pharmacological management strategy for people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is consistent and continues to accrue.Meta-analysis has demonstrated that it effectively improves exercise capacity, dyspnoea and health-related quality of life,[1] and preliminary data suggest that improved physical performance following PR is associated with improved survival.[2]However, these benefits are short-lived, lasting no more than 6 months.[1]Despite this, no study has investigated strategies to maintain the benefits of PR in IPF, although two have been undertaken in interstitial lung disease (ILD) and demonstrated maintenance of benefit at 6 and 12 months post-PR.[3][4]