The management of advance chronic respiratory disorders consists of measures that improve function in daily living and quality of life (QOL) by preventing symptoms and recurrence of exacerbations by preserving optimal lung function. Pulmonary rehabilitation is indicated for patients with chronic respiratory impairment who, despite optimal medical management, are dyspnoeic, have reduced exercise tolerance, or experience a limitation in activities. Therefore, need for pulmonary rehabilitation is not based on the severity of physiologic impairment of the lungs, but on the persistence of symptoms and disability. Although COPD remains the major disease requiring rehabilitation, patients with other conditions may be appropriate candidates for pulmonary rehabilitation because the same principles of ameliorating secondary morbidity and QOL apply. Examples include asthma, chest wall disease, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, interstitial lung disease and some neuromuscular diseases. The goal of rehabilitation is to evaluate various systems, treat optimally, improve dyspnoea and health related quality of life. It is a multidisciplinary approach and involves a physician, a psychiatrist, a dietician and a physiotherapist.