Adjunctive Low-Level Laser Therapy and Deep Oscillation in Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Post-Tuberculosis Lung...

Post-tuberculosis lung disease (PTLD) is associated with persistent functional impairment and reduced quality of life. This study evaluated the association between the addition of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and deep oscillation (DO) to structured pulmonary rehabilitation and changes in health-related quality-of-life and functional outcomes in patients with clinically stable PTLD.

In this prospective, controlled, non-randomized study, 65 patients completed an eight-week program. The study group (SG; n = 33) received structured kinesiotherapy plus LLLT and DO, while the control group (CG; n= 32) received the same kinesiotherapy alone. Between-group effects were assessed using baseline-adjusted ANCOVA with HC3 robust standard errors and Benjamini-Hochberg correction.

Greater improvements were observed in the combined-intervention group across all prespecified outcomes (all q < 0.001). Adjusted between-group differences were 6.46 points (95% CI 5.73-7.19) for EUROHIS-QOL-8, 8.86 (7.39-10.33) for WHOQOL-BREF physical health, 14.69 m (10.57-18.81) for 6MWD, -0.62 s (-0.94 to -0.30) for TUG, -1.04 (-1.29 to -0.79) for mMRC, and -2.21 (-2.63 to -1.79) for Borg CR10.

Adjunctive LLLT and DO were associated with greater improvements in quality-of-life and functional outcomes than kinesiotherapy alone. Given the non-randomized design and the combined administration of the two adjunctive modalities, these findings should be interpreted as associative and require confirmation in randomized, sham-controlled trials.