The Science Behind
Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Lift Functional Fitness is a home-based, comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation program.[1] The components within Lift Functional Fitness have been proven to improve breathing, exercise capacity, and quality of life for people with COPD.[2]

Breathing Techniques & Retraining

Breathing Techniques including pursed-lip breathing, diaphragmatic breathing, and other deep-breathing techniques[3] have been demonstrated to improve breathing, oxygen saturation, and exercise capacity.

Education

Education on topics ranging from early warning signs of exacerbations and oxygen concentrators to nutritional considerations and inhaler technique help people with COPD control the things that they can about their breathing and health.[1]

Aerobic Exercise

Low-intensity and high-intensity aerobic training helps people with COPD build endurance, improve oxygen efficiency (VO2max), and reduce breathlessness.[5]

Strength Training

Strengthening of the arms, legs, and core increases muscle mass, improves stability, and improves quality of life.[6]

Mental Wellness

Anxiety and depression can be an overwhelming comorbidities of COPD. Access to coping mechanisms, such as a supportive community, meditation practice, and relaxation therapy[7] helps people with COPD live happier and improves quality of life.[8]



Lift Functional Fitness’s evidence-based, interactive classes are developed and taught by a multidisciplinary team that includes respiratory therapists, pulmonologists, dieticians, physical therapists, yoga instructors, and psychologists from top pulmonary rehabilitation programs and institutions around the country.

You can participate in live or on-demand classes from any of your devices right at home.

Home-Based Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Pulmonary rehabilitation that incorporates the components listed above has been demonstrated to reduce breathlessness, improve exercise capacity, and improve quality of life.[2] These results are backed by a large body of evidence, proving the positive impact of pulmonary rehabilitation. The following medical societies recommend that all patients with moderate to severe COPD participate in pulmonary rehabilitation:

  • American College of Physicians[9]
  • American College of Chest Physicians [1]
  • Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease[10]
  • American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society[11]

Traditional pulmonary rehabilitation is done in a hospital environment. Although nearly every person with COPD could benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation, only about 2-3% of these individuals have access. For many, this is because of cost, location, or transportation.[12] Lift Functional Fitness is dedicated to improving access to pulmonary rehabilitation through technology.

A number of studies have evaluated how the benefits of hospital-based pulmonary rehabilitation translates to home-based pulmonary rehabilitation. A review of 12 randomized control trials found that home-based pulmonary rehabilitation programs do produce similar improvement when compared to in-person, hospital-based programs.[13] Home-based pulmonary rehabilitation programs provide an equivalent alternative to hospital-based programs.

Lift Functional Fitness uses technology to provide a convenient, easy-to-use, and guided home-based pulmonary rehabilitation program to people with COPD. Lift is designed to help people achieve and maintain the incredible and life-changing benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation.

Interested in Collaborating?

At Lift Functional Fitness, we are committed to moving the science of pulmonary rehabilitation forward. Whether you are interested in instructing a Lift class, collaborating on research, or bringing Lift Functional Fitness to your patients, we would love to talk to you.

Contact Us
Citations
  • [1] Ries AL, Bauldoff GS, Carlin BW, Casaburi R, Emery CF, Mahler DA, Make B, Rochester CL, Zuwallack R, Herrerias C. Pulmonary rehabilitation: joint ACCP/AACVPR evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Chest. 2007;131(5 Suppl):4S–42. doi: 10.1378/chest.06-2418.
  • [2] Corhay JL, Dang DN, Van Cauwenberge H, et al. Pulmonary rehabilitation and COPD: providing patients a good environment for optimizing therapy. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis 2014;9:27-39.
  • [3] Tiep BL, Burns M, Kao D, Herrera J, Madison R. Pursed lips breathing training using ear oximetry. Chest 1986; 90: 218–223.
  • [4] Kaminsky DA, Guntupalli K, Lippmann J. Effect of Yoga Breathing (Pranayama) on Exercise Tolerance in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2017; 23(9):696-704. doi: 10.1089/acm.2017.0102.
  • [5] Gimenez M, Servera E, Vergara P, et al. Endurance training in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a comparison of high versus moderate intensity. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2000; 81:102–109
  • [6] Mador MJ, Bozkanat E, Aggarwal A, et al. Endurance and strength training in patients with COPD. Chest 2004; 125:2036 –2045
  • [7] Devine EC, Pearcy J. Meta-analysis of the effects of psychoeducational care in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Patient Educ. Couns. 1996; 29: 167–78.
  • [8] Cafarella PA, Effing TW, Usmani ZA, Frith PA. Treatments for anxiety and depression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a literature review. Respirology. 2012;17(4):627–638.
  • [9] Amir Qaseem, Timothy J. Wilt, Steven E. Weinberger, Nicola A. Hanania, Gerard Criner, Thys van der Molen, et al. Diagnosis and Management of Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Clinical Practice Guideline Update from the American College of Physicians, American College of Chest Physicians, American Thoracic Society, and European Respiratory Society. Ann Intern Med. 2011;155:179–191. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-155-3-201108020-00008
  • [10] Vestbo J, Hurd SS, Agustí AG, Jones PW, Vogelmeier C, Anzueto A, Barnes PJ, Fabbri LM, Martinez FJ, Nishimura M, et al. Global strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: GOLD executive summary. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2013;187:347–365.
  • [11] Nici L, Donner C, Wouters E, Zuwallack R; ATS/ERS Pulmonary Rehabilitation Writing Committee. American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society statement on pulmonary rehabilitation. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2006;173:1390–1413
  • [12] Keating A, Lee A, Holland AE. What prevents people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease from attending pulmonary rehabilitation? A systematic review. Chron Respir Dis 2011;8:89–99.
  • [13] Vieira DS, Maltais F, Bourbeau J. Home-based pulmonary rehabilitation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. Curr Opin Pulm Med 2010;16:134–143.