Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Physical Therapy for Cardiovascular and Geriatrics Disorder

Background: The prevalence of tuberculosis in developing countries is high. Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) often have impaired pulmonary function because of the anatomical changes resulting from the disease in addition to substantial adverse impacts on the patient{u2018}s quality of life. Pulmonary rehabilitation has arisen as a proposed standard of care for the management of PTB patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate pulmonary rehabilitation efficacy on health-related quality of Life (HRQoL), lung function, and exercise capacity among patients with treated PTB. Patients and Methods: Sixty patients with cured pulmonary TB were enrolled in this prospective intervention study. The patients were 37 men and 23 women, and their age ranged from 40 to 60 years. They were categorized into two equal groups; a study group and a control group. The study group underwent a PR program consisted of supervised exercise training for upper and lower limbs, inspiratory muscle training, and educational sessions three times weekly for 12 weeks. Outcome measures were exercise capacity measured by six minutes walking distance (6MWT), pulmonary functions measured via spirometry, and HRQOL measured by St. George respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ). All these measures were evaluated before and after 12 weeks in both groups. Results: Scores of 6MWT, PFTs and SGRQ improved by the end of the treatment within each group. Comparison of post-treatment results for the two groups showed statistically and clinically significant differences between groups (p < 0.05) in favor of the study group. The percentage of change was (45.9%, 7.78%) in 6MWT in the study and control group, respectively. With respect to lung function the percentage of increase was (27.03%, 3.88%) in FEV1, (9.21%, 1.32%) in FVC, and (16.37%, 2.6%) in FEV1/FVC in the study and control group, respectively. For SGRQ score, the percentage of change in total score was (42.4, 4.3%) for the study and control group, respectively

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