Child practicing yoga in a meadow, symbolizing improved breathing and emotional well-being in cystic fibrosis management.

Breathe Easier: How Postural Exercises Complement Pulmonary Rehab for Cystic Fibrosis

Kai Mendoza in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how adding postural exercises to pulmonary rehabilitation can improve emotional well-being in cystic fibrosis patients."

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system. Over time, the disease leads to a buildup of thick mucus in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe and increasing the risk of infection. While there's no cure for CF, treatments like pulmonary rehabilitation can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

Pulmonary rehabilitation typically involves exercises to strengthen the respiratory muscles, techniques to clear mucus from the airways, and education on managing the condition. Recognizing that CF can also impact musculoskeletal health, researchers have begun investigating the benefits of combining traditional pulmonary rehab with postural exercises.

A recent study explored how adding postural exercises to a standard pulmonary rehabilitation program affects various outcomes in children with CF. The findings offer new insights into how a holistic approach can enhance treatment effectiveness, particularly in improving emotional well-being and adherence to treatment plans.

Unlocking the Benefits: Postural Exercises and Pulmonary Rehab

Child practicing yoga in a meadow, symbolizing improved breathing and emotional well-being in cystic fibrosis management.

The study, published in the Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, investigated the impact of incorporating postural exercises into pulmonary rehabilitation for children with cystic fibrosis. Researchers aimed to determine whether this combined approach could improve pain levels, exercise tolerance, respiratory function, quality of life, balance, and spinal deformities.

The study design involved randomizing participants aged 6 to 14 into two groups: one receiving pulmonary rehabilitation plus postural exercises, and the other receiving pulmonary rehabilitation alone. Both groups were monitored for six months, with assessments conducted before treatment, at six weeks, at three months, and at six months post-treatment. These assessments included:

Respiratory Function: Measured by FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Volume in one second).
Pain Level: Assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
Exercise Tolerance: Evaluated with the Modified Shuttle Test (MST).
Postural Stability: Assessed via the Limits of Stability Test (SLT).
Quality of Life: Determined using the Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire - Revised Application (CFQR).
Spinal Deformities: Measured by Cobb and Modified Cobb angles.

The results indicated that while both groups showed improvements in respiratory function and exercise tolerance, significant differences emerged in emotional well-being. Specifically, the group that incorporated postural exercises reported greater improvements in their emotional state and demonstrated better compliance with the treatment plan. These findings suggest that postural exercises may address not only the physical aspects of CF but also the emotional challenges associated with the condition.

Empowering Patients: A Holistic Approach to Cystic Fibrosis Care

The study underscores the importance of a holistic approach to managing cystic fibrosis, highlighting that integrating postural exercises into pulmonary rehabilitation can offer significant benefits beyond physical improvements. By addressing emotional well-being and enhancing treatment compliance, this combined approach has the potential to improve the overall quality of life for children with CF. Further research may explore the long-term effects and optimal strategies for implementing postural exercises in CF care.

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.rehab.2018.05.768, Alternate LINK

Title: The Effects Of A Postural Exercise Program Added To Conventional Pulmonary Rehabilitation In Patients With Cystic Fibrosis

Subject: Rehabilitation

Journal: Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: S. Gungor, K. Gencer-Atalay, Y. Bahar-Ozdemir, O. Kenis Coskun, E. Karadag-Saygi

Published: 2018-07-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and how does it relate to this study?

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder primarily affecting the lungs and digestive system, leading to a buildup of thick mucus in the lungs. This buildup makes breathing difficult and increases the risk of infection. Pulmonary rehabilitation and postural exercises are used to manage the symptoms and improve the quality of life for children with CF. The combination of both exercises enhances treatment effectiveness and improves emotional well-being.

What is pulmonary rehabilitation, and what role do postural exercises play?

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a treatment that typically involves exercises designed to strengthen respiratory muscles, techniques to clear mucus from the airways, and education on managing the condition. Postural exercises are integrated into pulmonary rehabilitation to address the physical and emotional challenges. A recent study investigated how the addition of postural exercises could improve the emotional well-being of those with CF, as well as their adherence to the treatment plan.

How do postural exercises improve treatment?

Postural exercises, when added to pulmonary rehabilitation, provide significant benefits beyond physical improvements. The study showed that incorporating postural exercises into the program improved emotional well-being and adherence to treatment plans. This holistic approach may improve the overall quality of life for children with CF.

What specific assessments were used in this study?

In the study, participants were assessed using a variety of methods. Respiratory function was measured by FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Volume in one second). Pain level was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Exercise tolerance was evaluated with the Modified Shuttle Test (MST). Postural stability was assessed via the Limits of Stability Test (SLT). Quality of life was determined using the Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire - Revised Application (CFQR), and Spinal deformities were measured by Cobb and Modified Cobb angles.

Why is a holistic approach to managing Cystic Fibrosis important?

The significance of incorporating postural exercises into pulmonary rehabilitation lies in its holistic approach to managing Cystic Fibrosis. By addressing emotional well-being and enhancing treatment compliance, this combined approach has the potential to improve the overall quality of life for children with CF. Further research may explore the long-term effects and optimal strategies for implementing postural exercises in CF care.