Home-Based Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program for Children Aged 6 to 17 with Post-Tuberculosis Lung Disease in Uganda

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to determine if a home-based pulmonary rehabilitation program is practical and acceptable for children aged 6 to 15 who have recently completed treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis. It focuses on understanding if children and their caregivers can follow the program and whether they find it feasible and acceptable. The study also explores early changes in walking distance and quality of life among participants with post-tuberculosis lung disease PTLD. The study involves a 6-week home-based rehabilitation program consisting of twice-weekly walking and wall sit exercises, guided by a physiotherapy assessment. Participants receive exercise instructions, a pedometer to track activity, and an exercise workbook. Caregivers supervise the exercises, and study staff provide weekly follow-up through phone calls or home visits. Before starting, children attend a clinic visit for baseline tests including a 6-minute walk test and a respiratory questionnaire, and they return at 6 weeks for follow-up assessments. Participants will complete physical activity exercises at home while researchers monitor adherence and acceptability over the 6-week period. Assessments include measuring walking distance, respiratory health via questionnaire scores, and body mass index changes. The study emphasizes feasibility in a low-resource setting and aims to inform future trials. Overall participation lasts about 6 weeks with regular check-ins and two clinic visits for testing.

Paediatric Post-TB Pulmonary Rehab Study