Novel pulmonary rehabilitation approach in a 46-year-old female with significant decline in lung and functional status following H1N1

Abstract

Introduction: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is an established therapeutic intervention for improving limb muscle dysfunction, reducing morbidity and mortality in a variety of chronic lung conditions. Providers are instrumental in improving success by optimizing disease management, minimizing barriers and tailoring a program to meet the patient’s goals and functional needs. Case report: We present a case of a young woman with mild asthma who developed severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease following H1N1. She remained limited in instrumental activities of daily living following traditional PR but participated in therapeutic horseback riding with notable improvement in functional capacity and emotional well-being. Conclusions: There is a growing body of knowledge on the benefits of PR but little is known about the physiologic and psychological benefits of other forms of exercise such as horseback riding. This case highlights the importance of individualizing care and identifies a novel area of research to be explored.

• Asthma
• H1N1
• pulmonary rehabilitation
• therapeutic horseback riding

Declaration of interest

The authors report no affiliations or involvement in any organization or entity with financial interest or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript. The authors report no funding or grants associated with this manuscript.