Evaluation of an interdisiplinary patient education day followed by individually tailored airway clearance therapy in patients with non-cf bronchiectasis: an intervention study

oleh: Birgitta Blakstad Nilsson, Tonje Klætte

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: Norwegian Physiotherapist Association 2021-04-01

Deskripsi

Aim: To illuminate the concept of airway clearance techniques (ACT) as self-treatment, and to evaluate an interdisciplinary patient education day, followed by individually tailored airway clearance therapy with regard to quality of life (QoL) in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB). Material and Methods: A pre- post single arm trial where patients with NCFB participated in a structured interdisciplinary patient education day, followed by three individual physiotherapy sessions with ACT. Patients were recruited and enrolled to the study from our pulmonary clinic from October 2017 to May 2019. Quality of life was assessed using St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) at baseline and 6 months after participation in the patient education day. Results: Among 35 patients who were included 31 (87%) completed the study. Mean age; 60.1 ± 13.9, years; 71.4 % women, mean BMI; 23.7 ± 3.8, mean FVC (% of predicted); 90.4 ± 16.6, mean FEV1 (% of predicted); 79.8 ± 21. The mean change in SGRQ total score was -8.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) -4.7 – -12.8 (p <0.001). In addition, there were statistically and clinically significant improvements in all domains of SGRQ; symptoms score, impact score and activity score, with mean changes of -8.9, -7.0 and -11.8, respectively (p < 0.005). Conclusion: One day of interdisciplinary patient education followed by individually tailored airway clearance therapy resulted in statistically and clinically significant improvements in QoL in patients with NCFB at six months.