The aim of the study is to assess the impact of the rehabilitation and treatment stay at the underground Health Resort of the 'Wieliczka' Salt Mine in Wieliczka on the functional capacity, respiratory parameters, and rheological properties of blood in elderly individuals with respiratory diseases.
people aged 65 and older with chronic respiratory diseases in a stable period of the disease (without exacerbations), qualified to participate in a rehabilitation and treatment stay in the underground Health Resort 'Wieliczka' Salt Mine in Wieliczka,
patients who gave informed, written consent to participate in the study.
patients with contraindications to subterraneotherapy and physical exercise,
lack of written consent to participate in the study,
deterioration of health during the implementation of the program.
Single group
Subterranean, pulmonary rehabilitation
Other interventionPulmonary rehabilitation in the underground Health Resort of the 'Wieliczka' Salt Mine
Respiratory muscle force: Maximal inspiratory pressure - MIP
This test involves wearing a nose peg and inhaling through a tube, performed in three trials.
Respiratory muscle force: Maximal expiratory pressure - MEP
This test involves wearing a nose peg and exhaling through a tube, performed in three trials.
Respiratory muscle force: Sniff Nasal Inspiratory Pressure - SNIP
The test consists of separate inhalations through the left and right nostrils, performed in five trials per nostril.
6-Minute Walk Test - 6MWT
The 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is a standardized test used to assess functional exercise capacity. It measures the distance an individual can walk on a flat, hard surface in a period of six minutes
FEV₁
Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second \[L\] - FEV₁ FEV₁ represents the volume of air forcibly exhaled during the first second of a forced expiratory maneuver, starting from full lung inflation. It is a key parameter in the assessment of airway obstruction and is used in the diagnosis and monitoring of diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. Lower FEV₁ values indicate narrowing of the airways or reduced lung function.
FVC
Forced Vital Capacity \[L\] - FVC FVC is the total volume of air that can be forcibly exhaled after a full inspiration. It reflects the elastic properties of the lungs and chest wall. FVC is used in conjunction with FEV₁ to assess restrictive and obstructive ventilatory patterns. A reduced FVC may suggest lung restriction, while a low FEV₁/FVC ratio typically indicates airway obstruction.
PEF
Peak Expiratory Flow \[L/min\] - PEF PEF represents the maximum flow rate achieved during a forced expiratory maneuver. It is a simple and reproducible indicator of large airway function and is often used in asthma monitoring, bronchodilator response testing, and occupational lung health assessments. Reduced PEF may indicate airway narrowing, poor effort, or respiratory muscle weakness.
Bronchodilator Reversibility (BDR) Test
The bronchodilator reversibility test is performed to assess the responsiveness of the airways to bronchodilator medications, typically in patients suspected of having reversible airway obstruction, such as in asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The test evaluates how spirometric values change following the administration of a bronchodilator (e.g., salbutamol or ipratropium), which relaxes smooth muscles and widens the airways.
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