The Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention at 40 Years and Its Role in the Evolution of Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

While the roots of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) date back to the 1950s, the advent of modern-day PR began in the early 1970s. This commentary describes the important role the Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention (JCRP) had in the development of PR. Originally, launched as the Journal of Cardiac Rehabilitation in 1981, with the formation of the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, the journal's name was changed to the Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation in 1986. This commentary summarizes key publications reported in the journal broken down into 3 time periods, as well as the impact of those publications. It also includes summaries of important scientific statements and reviews including those in collaboration with the American College of Chest Physicians. The development of successful PR programs has been based on the many publications that have been published in JCRP. Further advances in the field will likely be based on the future publications contained within JCRP.