Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation program at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Korea that was designed to augment respiratory function, promote patient recovery, and improve discharge outcomes.

Methods: This study was conducted as part of quality improvement activities from March to August 2023. A multidisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation team was established, comprising specialists in rehabilitation medicine, pulmonology, and thoracic surgery, as well as physical and occupational therapists, and the nutrition team. We developed a comprehensive rehabilitation program that included stretching, strengthening exercises, aerobic training, and respiratory retraining, supplemented by individualized treatments such as bedside and ambulatory physical therapy. Evaluations before and after rehabilitation were performed using the Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale and the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Assessment Test. The primary indicators of success were an increase of over 10% in pulmonary rehabilitation consultations and an improvement in discharge-to-home rates.

Results: The total number of pulmonary rehabilitation cases rose by 79.16%, from 24 to 43, while consultations saw a 21.15% increase, from 52 to 63. Of the 63 pulmonary rehabilitation cases, 32 (50.8%) were transferred to other hospitals, 25 (39.7%) were discharged home, and 6 (9.5%) remained hospitalized.

Conclusion: The study demonstrated the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation approach in improving program participation and achieving meaningful discharge outcomes. These findings underscore the potential for expanding multidisciplinary efforts and highlight the need for further studies to increase discharge-to-home rates and evaluate the long-term impacts of such programs.

Objectives

Overactive bladder(OAB) is a symptom syndrome including urinary urgency with or without urinary incontinence, usually combined with frequency and nocturia. There are lots of reports concerning the first-line treatment for OAB, the treatment is still challenging. Extracorporeal magnetic innervation(ExMI) therapy have been known to be safe and effective immediately in stress urinary incontinence and OAB. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of suprapubic magnetic innervation therapy by arm-typed plate in patients with OAB.

Methods

The selected subjects were 32 patients diagnosed with OAB between the periods of April to September, 2007. Mean age was 48.3±10.7 years old, and there were 10 males and 22 females patients. Voiding diary, International Prostatic Symptoms Score(IPSS), quality of life(QOL) questionnaire were evaluated as assessment of voiding symptoms. The treatment was performed for 15 minutes, 2 times a week, for 6 weeks with ExMI by arm-typed plate(BioCon-2000. M-Cube, Korea). All of the evaluations were repeated immediately and 3 months after treatment.

Results

The mean urgency episodes decreased from 13.2±1.81 times to 8.7±1.95 times immediately after treatment and 9.6±2.18 times at 12 weeks after treatment(p<0.05). At 6 weeks after starting treatment, the mean frequency decreased from 5.4±1.58 times to 3.6±1.37 times(p<0.05), but the mean frequency after 6 months was 4.3±1.72 times(p>0.05). Significant improvements immediately after treatment were noted in the frequency, urgency, and QOL in IPSS, which were maintained for 3 months(p<0.05). There were improvements in mean voided volume, but these were minimal.

Conclusion

The symptoms of OAB are highly prevalent and significantly affect the quality of life. Effective and prompt management of OAB should be implemented. Our datas suggested that the EXMI therapy by arm-typed plate has the favorable effect on OAB and it may be persist for at least 12 months. Further studies are needed to establish the long-term efficacy of EXMI therapy in patients with symptoms of OAB.