Comparative Effectiveness of Rehabilitation Programs for Adults with Post-Tuberculosis Lung Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
4 affiliations
- 1Doctoral School, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 2 Petru Rareș Street, 200349 Craiova, Romania
- 2Internal Medicine—Department of Pulmonology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 2 Petru Rareș Street, 200349 Craiova, Romania
- 3Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Nursing, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 2 Petru Rareș Street, 200349 Craiova, Romania
- 4Department of Medical Informatics and Biostatistics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 2 Petru Rareș Street, 200349 Craiova, Romania
Abstract
Background: Persistent respiratory and functional impairments after pulmonary tuberculosis can reduce exercise capacity and health-related quality of life. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated structured rehabilitation in adults with post-tuberculosis lung disease (PTLD). Methods: The review followed PRISMA 2020 and was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD420261338253). PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, CENTRAL, and PEDro were searched from inception, with final bibliographic updating through 5 September 2026 and trial registry cross-linking through 28 August 2026. Results: Seven randomized trial reports were included. Two directly comparable adjusted ISWT trials are presented as the main exercise capacity findings: a study published in 2026 reported +54.36 m (95% CI 17.22 to 91.51) and a research conducted in 2026 reported +123.0 m (95% CI 81.1 to 164.8). The pooled random-effects estimate was +87.98 m (95% Hartung–Knapp CI −348.01 to 523.96), but this estimate is presented secondarily because the interval was extremely wide with only two contributing trials. A 120-participant RCT reported an adjusted 6MWD benefit of +87.4 m (95% CI 74.2 to 100.6). A newly identified three-arm RCT (n = 180) reported statistically significant omnibus between-group differences, but substantial baseline imbalance and unusual control group reporting patterns limit device-versus-control interpretation. Certainty was very low for exercise capacity, dyspnea, health-related quality of life, pulmonary function, inspiratory muscle strength, and adverse events. Conclusions: Accordingly, the evidence is very uncertain regarding the effects of structured rehabilitation on these outcomes and regarding the magnitude and generalizability of any benefit in PTLD.
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BibTeX
@article{piciorea2026comparative,
title = {{Comparative Effectiveness of Rehabilitation Programs for Adults with Post-Tuberculosis Lung Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials}},
author = {Marin Vlăduț Piciorea and Gabriela-Marina Andrei and Mihai Olteanu and Daniela Matei and Mihaela Ionescu and Magdalena Rodica Trăistaru},
journal = {Journal of Clinical Medicine},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/jcm15218397},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/15/21/8397},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Comparative Effectiveness of Rehabilitation Programs for Adults with Post-Tuberculosis Lung Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
AU - Marin Vlăduț Piciorea
AU - Gabriela-Marina Andrei
AU - Mihai Olteanu
AU - Daniela Matei
AU - Mihaela Ionescu
AU - Magdalena Rodica Trăistaru
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/28
JO - Journal of Clinical Medicine
DO - 10.3390/jcm15218397
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/15/21/8397
AB - Background: Persistent respiratory and functional impairments after pulmonary tuberculosis can reduce exercise capacity and health-related quality of life. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated structured rehabilitation in adults with post-tuberculosis lung disease (PTLD). Methods: The review followed PRISMA 2020 and was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD420261338253). PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, CENTRAL, and PEDro were searched from inception, with final bibliographic updating through 5 September 2026 and trial registry cross-linking through 28 August 2026. Results: Seven randomized trial reports were included. Two directly comparable adjusted ISWT trials are presented as the main exercise capacity findings: a study published in 2026 reported +54.36 m (95% CI 17.22 to 91.51) and a research conducted in 2026 reported +123.0 m (95% CI 81.1 to 164.8). The pooled random-effects estimate was +87.98 m (95% Hartung–Knapp CI −348.01 to 523.96), but this estimate is presented secondarily because the interval was extremely wide with only two contributing trials. A 120-participant RCT reported an adjusted 6MWD benefit of +87.4 m (95% CI 74.2 to 100.6). A newly identified three-arm RCT (n = 180) reported statistically significant omnibus between-group differences, but substantial baseline imbalance and unusual control group reporting patterns limit device-versus-control interpretation. Certainty was very low for exercise capacity, dyspnea, health-related quality of life, pulmonary function, inspiratory muscle strength, and adverse events. Conclusions: Accordingly, the evidence is very uncertain regarding the effects of structured rehabilitation on these outcomes and regarding the magnitude and generalizability of any benefit in PTLD.
SN - 2077-0383
ER -