Applying the treatable traits approach in bronchiectasis-A scoping review of traits, measurements and treatments implemented by allied health professionals and nurses

Abstract

Background: Using treatable traits as a management approach in bronchiectasis involves determining identifiable, clinically relevant, measurable and treatable problems to develop a management strategy in collaboration with the patient.

Objective: To identify new treatable traits not previously reported in the literature and treatment strategies for new and existing traits that could be implemented in an outpatient clinic or community setting by an allied health professional or nurse in adults with bronchiectasis.

Methods: A scoping review was conducted with searches of MEDLINE, CINAHL, AMED, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and PsycInfo. The search yielded 9963 articles with 255 articles proceeding to full text review and 114 articles included for data extraction.

Results: Sixteen new traits were identified, including fatigue (number of studies with new trait (n) = 13), physical inactivity (n = 13), reduced peripheral muscle power and/or strength (n = 12), respiratory muscle weakness (n = 9) and sedentarism (n = 6). The main treatment strategies for new and existing traits were airway clearance therapy (number of citations (n) = 86), pulmonary rehabilitation (n = 58), inspiratory muscle training (n = 20) and nebulised saline (n = 12).

Conclusion: This review identifies several new traits in bronchiectasis and highlights the common treatments for new and existing traits that can be implemented in a treatable traits approach in an outpatient clinic or community setting by an allied health professional or nurse.

Keywords: Airway clearance therapy; Clinic; Multidisciplinary team; Physiotherapy; Pulmonary rehabilitation; Respiratory.