Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
EURASIAN JOURNAL OF PULMONOLOGY, cilt.28, sa.1, ss.53-63, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus, TRDizin)
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is a rare disease that affects the pulmonary, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal systems. Severe desaturation and hypoxemia reduce exercise capacity and exacerbate symptoms. Rehabilitation is essential for these patients to prevent symptom progression and manage the adverse effects of hypoxemia. This study aimed to present the pre- and post-rehabilitation outcomes of three patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis who completed individualized rehabilitation programs in our unit. The programs included aerobic ex- ercise training, inspiratory muscle training, resistance exercises, and neuromuscular electrical stimulation, delivered two-three times per week over six-eight weeks. Functional exercise ca- pacity was assessed using the six-minute walk test; upper-extremity functional capacity with the six-minute pegboard and ring test; respiratory muscle strength with a mouth pressure device; peripheral muscle strength with a hand-held dynamometer; dyspnea using the Modified Medical Research Council scale; and physical activity level with a metabolic holter and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) values increased in two cases. FEV1/FVC improved in one case and remained unchanged in another. Forced expiratory flow at 25% to 75% of the pulmonary volume (FEF25-75%) and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) increased in one case and decreased in another, while peak expiratory flow (PEF) increased in both. Respiratory muscle strength significantly improved in all cases. Inspiratory muscle endurance improved in two cases. Upper- and lower-extremity exercise capacity and peripheral muscle strength increased in all cases. Dyspnea and physical activity levels also improved across the board. This study indicates that a well-structured, individualized pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program, tailored to the patient's needs, can improve dyspnea, physical activity, muscle strength, and pulmonary function in individuals with hypersensitivity pneumonitis.