The mBS was used to measure respiratory difficulties and to evaluate QoL related to respiration [15]. The control group mBS result reflected the degree of respiratory difficulties following a pulmonary resection. Lung resection involves reducing lung volume and causes surgical injury to the chest wall. Respiratory difficulties originate from the restrictive damage to the chest wall and a decrease in diaphragm muscular activity [9]. In contrast, the respiratory difficulties of patients who received regular PR for 6 months improved after lung resection. Thus, the PR program may have helped recovery of the restrictive chest wall damage.