Feasibility and Benefits of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis is a chronic suppurative lung disease, which is not uncommon, but for which there is not much that is new in the form of therapy.

To assess in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis the feasibility, factors effecting adherence/completion to an 8 week pulmonary rehabilitation program and impact of pulmonary rehabilitation on 6MWT and QOL assessed by LCADLS.

Thirty three patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis were included in a pulmonary rehabilitation program which comprised one supervised session at the institution and a telephone call once a week for 8 weeks. The Spirometry, 6MWT and QOL using London Chest Activity of Daily Living Scale was assessed before and after the rehabilitation program. The adherence was also measured.

Transportation was the most important reason for nonadherence (median of 80km) followed by exacerbations and work schedule. There was significant increase in walk distance from baseline to end of treatment (Z=-2.658, p= 0.008). The mean increase in walk distance was 27.9 meters. Significant improvement LCADL scale from Visit 1 to Visit 8 (z=-3.947, p=0.00).

Our study suggest that 1 hospital session a week and one session monitored at home telephonically has a role in resource limited settings. Distance from the centre was a major barrier to take part in program hence has to be considered in the planning of a rehabilitation program. Pulmonary rehabilitation has a role in the management of Bronchiectasis