Does the effect of comprehensive respiratory physiotherapy home-program differ in children with cystic fibrosis and non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis?

Abstract

CRP is beneficial both for children with CF and NCFB and adherence to the program was high in both groups. •Different physiotherapy approaches in the management of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis have been based on the experience gained from the research studies performed in cystic fibrosis. • Although having similar pathophysiology, these two diseases show variation in some pulmonary and extrapulmonary features. •The respiratory muscle strength and the efficacy of comprehensive respiratory physiotherapy have been compared for the first time in children with cystic fibrosis and non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. • Comprehensive respiratory physiotherapy provides higher increases in children with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in exercise capacity and expiratory and peripheral muscle strength; however, there was a great variability in these improvements. Nevertheless, it can be concluded that both groups significantly benefited from the CRP program.