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Raphokwane K.1, Mtshali B.F.1
1Sefako Makgatho Health Science University, Physiotherapy, Pretoria, South Africa
Background: Pulmonary conditions decrease Health Related Quality of Life (HRQL) of patients particularly with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), HRQL does predict survival of these patients. Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a multidisciplinary approach on which Physiotherapist also has a vital role with their background on exercise prescription and evidence-based practise. Physiotherapy Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PPR) has focused more on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases patients than on HIV related lung disease patients.The effectiveness of PPR on patients with HIV related Lung diseases in Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital (DGMAH) are unknown and thus creating a gap for rehabilitation.
Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of PPR on HIV patient's HRQL. This was achieved by profiling these patients, determining their HRQL and correlating the results with the PPR intervention.
Methods: An experimental design comprising of one group pre and post tested through this study. There are three phases which are
1. Pre Evaluation measured with St Georges Respiratory Questionnaire,
2. Intervention phase using Australian Lung Foundation Pulmonary Toolkit (ALFPT) exercise program and
3. Post Evaluation measured by SGRQ. It took six weeks of intervention for the study to be done.
The sample was 61 patients DGMAH as calculated from the population. Data was analysed using SPSS version 21.0. The significance level was set at 0.05
Results: The participants age ranged from 22 to 67 years old, the were more females (60.7%) than males (39.3%). Common diagnosis was PTB at 73.8%. Majority of patients (83%) showed symptoms of coughing, producing phlegm, shortness of breath and unpleasant chest attacks at various occasions most days a week pre intervention, this improved post intervention as 41% reported to not have had symptoms at 25% having them with chest infection only. Thirty percent (30%) of the participants felt breathless when doing daily activities prior which improved post intervention with only 2% feeling the symptoms. At initial stages, 54% felt uncomfortable playing sport which limited their social integration, this also was improved post intervention when only 11% reported to still feeling uncomfortable. Age and symptoms score were significant at 0.09. Gender and symptoms score were significant at 0.037. Activity and symptoms score were significant at 0.09. Impact and symptoms score were significant at 0.022.
Conclusion(s): The study showed good results post interventionally which showed that a physiotherapy pulmonary rehabilitation exercise programme had a positive effect on patients health related quality of life.
Implications: There needs to be specific physiotherapy pulmonary rehabilitations programmes for patients with HIV related lung diseases to improve their quality of life.
Funding acknowledgements: Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University Research Development Grant
Topic: Cardiorespiratory
Ethics approval: Medunsa Research and Ethics Committee
Project Number: MREC/H/41/2014:PG
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
