Effect of a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program on Hospital Mortality and Disability in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke

Severe stroke remains an important cause of mortality and morbidity, despite advances in disease management, acute treatment and secondary measures. Among all post-stroke complications, pneumonia constitutes a major complication with a strong impact on morbidity and mortality. Research also showed that a reduction in respiratory muscle and abdominal muscle strength contributed to pulmonary and respiratory dysfunction following a stroke. Low respiratory muscle function decreases the efficacy of rehabilitation because it leads to exercise intolerance in stroke patients. Thus, special exercise programs are needed to improve the pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength of stroke patients The aim of pulmonary rehabilitation program is to enhance respiratory muscle resistance during breathing, thereby improving respiratory function. Previous studies demonstrated that pulmonary rehabilitation programs improved respiratory functions in cardiac disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients