European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: Post tuberculosis sequelae causes significant impairment in the quality of life. Pulmonary Rehabilitation ( PR) improves physical conditioning of the body in patients with respiratory diseases.
Aims and objectives: To assess the baseline pulmonary exercise capacity using Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT ) in post Tuberculosis (TB) lung disease patients and to re-assess pulmonary exercise capacity following administration of pulmonary rehabilitation exercise in post TB lung disease patients using 6MWT.
Materials and Methods: 42 out of 45 patients with post tuberculosis sequelae were assessed by 6MWT, spirometry, modified Borg Scale Index. They were subjected to six weeks of pulmonary rehabilitation with walking and balloon blowing and were re-assessed later.
Results: The distance walked in Visit 1 and Visit 2 (after six weeks Pulmonary Rehabilitation) was 489.91±86.79 and 527.425±78.03 respectively which is statistically significant (p 0.000).
The Modified Borg scale index of the subjects in Visit 1 and Visit 2(after six weeks Pulmonary
Rehabilitation)  was 1.54±1.08 and 1.36±0.98 respectively which was statistically significant (p 0.002).
Conclusion: The results revealed a significant improvement in exercise capacity in terms of distance walked in 6-MWT and improvement in Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale after 6 weeks of PR. Henceforth the authors of this study recommend 30 minutes of brisk walking for 5 days a week and balloon blowing exercises as a part of Pulmonary Rehabilitation exercise protocol in post TB patients which can be practiced even in Rural areas.