OVERVIEW
Pulmonary rehabilitation has been clearly demonstrated to reduce
dyspnea, increase exercise capacity, and improve quality
of life in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) (1). The Official ATS/ERS Statement, Key Concepts
and Advances in Pulmonary Rehabilitation, available online at
www.atsjournals.org, provides a detailed review of progress in
the science and evolution in the concept of pulmonary rehabilitation since the 2006 Statement. It represents the consensus of 46 international
experts in the field of pulmonary rehabilitation. This printed
Executive Summary, by necessity, must focus on only those key
concepts and advances that have emerged over the past 6 years.