Investigation of the effect of pulmonary rehabilitation program started immediately after extubation on discharge time in patients with pneumonia

Purpose: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of the pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program initiated after extubation on the duration of discharge in pneumonia patients. Method: Twenty adult pneumonia patients treated in the intensive care unit between March 2022 and March 2023 were included in this study. Patients were randomized into two groups. The evaluations of the participants were made before the treatment, at the 2nd week, and at the 4th week. Weaning Criteria Scale, Full Outline of Unresponsiveness (Four) score, Confusion, Urea, Respiratory Rate, Blood Pressure (CURB-65) Score, Modified Borg Scale, Muscular Strength Assessment Test ,Glasgow Coma Scale ,Shuttle run Test and 6 Minute Walking Test were applied. Conclusions: Considering the demographic data, no statistically significant difference was found between the groups. While bradypnea rates were higher in the patients in the 1st group, the eupnea rate was higher in the 2nd group. A statistically significant difference was found in the change of heart rate measurements in patients in group 2 (p<0.05). While Borg measurements were higher in patients in group 1. Borg decreased in group 2 patients. Results: It was concluded that breathing exercises, especially the intensive pulmonary rehabilitation program, shortened the discharge time and provided complete well-being.