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Addressing treatable traits in bronchiectasis through non-pharmacological therapies: a narrative review

Annemarie L Lee^1,2, Arietta Spinou³, Ashwin Basavaraj⁴

¹Department of Physiotherapy, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University, Frankston, Victoria, Australia.

Journal of Thoracic Disease

|July 21, 2025

Abstract

Background And Objective:

Treatable traits in bronchiectasis have been classified as pulmonary, etiological, extra-pulmonary and behavioral or lifestyle factors. A range of non-pharmacological interventions may be applied to address these traits, with selected therapies applicable to multiple traits. The aim of this narrative review was to synthesize the evidence for non-pharmacological therapies through the lens of treatable traits for adults with bronchiectasis and highlight the clinical effects of these treatments.

Methods:

Electronic searches of PubMed and Medline using specific keywords were conducted. Articles underwent screening for relevance, with potential sources from review articles, systematic and scoping reviews, case series, prospective and retrospective studies, clinical practice guidelines and statements, and editorials in peer-reviewed journals. The data included were limited to English publications from 1980 to 2024.

Key Content And Findings:

Of those traits which fall under the pulmonary and etiology categories, treatment options include airway clearance therapy, adjuncts to airway clearance such as mucoactive agents, smoking cessation programs, non-invasive ventilation and oxygen therapy, including high flow nasal therapy. Extra-pulmonary traits that are amenable to non-pharmacological approaches included psychological symptoms, nutritional concerns, gastroesophageal reflux disease, rhinosinusitis and cardiovascular disease. Treatment options span from cognitive behavioral therapy and counselling, nutritional advice and supplements, lifestyle adjustments and nasal-sinus irrigation. Key behavioral or lifestyle traits are low treatment adherence, smoking and lack of exercise. These are addressed via education and self-management programs, smoking cessation, pulmonary rehabilitation and other forms of exercise or physical activity.

Conclusions:

A variety of non-pharmacological therapies may be applied to address treatable traits in those with bronchiectasis and adopting an integrated approach is important to optimize patient outcomes. Further studies could guide the implementation of non-pharmacological interventions for newly identified treatable traits in this population.

Keywords:

Bronchiectasis adherence comorbidities physiotherapy treatable traits

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