Equipment & Space

Equipment required to set up a program

Initial assessment (hospital or community health centre):

Flat (straight or circular) walking track (at least 25 meters in length) – if using 6MWT

Stop watch for walking test – if using 6MWT

Cones, tape measure, CD or tape player, ISWT recording – if using ISWT

Pulse oximeter

Stethoscope

Sphygmomanometer

Portable oxygen, low flow rate regulator and nasal prongs

Modified Borg Dyspnoea Scale

Borg Perceived Rate of Exertion Scale

Measuring wheel or tape measure for measuring the track

Relevant quality of life questionnaires (including licence for use, where appropriate)

Desk and chairs

Home assessment

Car

Small shopping trolley for equipment

Mobile phone (ideally with camera)

Duress alarm (ideal but not essential)

Measuring wheel or tape measure

Range of dumbbells – eg 2 x 0.5kg, 2 x 1.0kg, 2 x 2.0kg

TheraBand

Pulse oximeter

Stethoscope

Alcohol wipes and hand wash

Floor pedals (not essential but may be required for some patients)

Placebo inhalers (MDI, Accuhaler, Turbuhaler etc) – these can be obtained from pharmaceutical companies

Spacers for metered dose inhalers

Airway clearance information, including forced expiration technique tubes

Modified Borg Dyspnoea Scale forms

Borg Rate of Perceived Exertion forms

Navigation device – e.g. maps, GPS

Tissues

Patient’s equipment requirements.

It is possible for home rehabilitation to be conducted without any equipment however, the following are desirable:

Flat walking track – corridor (low exercise endurance), driveway, local streets or local park

Solid chair, preferably without arm rests

Flat wall space

Steps (one or two is adequate) – preferably next to a rail or wall for support

Arm weights – e.g. packets of spaghetti, bottles filled with water, dumbbells

TheraBand may be preferred by the patient for arm strengthening exercises

If the patient owns a treadmill, exercise bike, swimming pool or other equipment, these can be incorporated into their program.