Bronchiectasis is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by permanent dilation of the bronchi, resulting from diverse and often unidentified causes. Patients typically experience persistent cough, excessive sputum production, and frequent respiratory infections, all contributing to progressive lung function decline and reduced quality of life. Comprehensive management is multifaceted, with pulmonary rehabilitation therapies playing an increasingly recognized role in improving outcomes for people living with bronchiectasis.
A variety of rehabilitation interventions—including, but not limited to, airway clearance techniques, exercise training, respiratory muscle training, nutritional support, and adjunctive therapies such as noninvasive ventilation (NIV)—have shown potential to address key symptoms, reduce exacerbations, and improve quality of life. While NIV is an area of emerging interest, particularly for select patients with respiratory failure or severe ventilatory burden, it should be considered within the wider context of multidisciplinary rehabilitation strategies.
Despite encouraging clinical experiences, significant evidence gaps remain across all aspects of bronchiectasis rehabilitation. Unresolved questions include optimal intervention selection and tailoring, implementation strategies, long-term benefits, and the integration of therapies into routine clinical practice. Barriers such as adherence, access to specialist care, and variability in disease presentation highlight the need for individualized, evidence-based approaches.
The primary goal of this Research Topic is to consolidate and advance the current understanding of all rehabilitation therapies in bronchiectasis. We aim to: (1) Critically examine the indications, benefits, and limitations of diverse rehabilitation interventions—including, but not limited to, NIV, airway clearance, exercise, and nutritional support—in a range of clinical scenarios; (2) Identify knowledge gaps, opportunities for innovation, and research priorities; and (3) Explore strategies for integrating these therapies into multidisciplinary care to optimize patient outcomes.
By fostering dialogue and showcasing new research, this collection seeks to pave the way for more comprehensive, evidence-based, and patient-centered approaches to bronchiectasis care.
This Research Topic welcomes original research, systematic reviews, clinical trials, case reports, and expert perspectives addressing all aspects of rehabilitation in bronchiectasis. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Patient selection criteria and phenotyping for different rehabilitation therapies - Short- and long-term effects of interventions (e.g., airway clearance, NIV, exercise training) on symptoms, exacerbation rates, lung function, and quality of life - Roles of rehabilitation in acute versus chronic settings - Adherence, device/interface considerations, and practical challenges in implementation - Integration of therapies within multidisciplinary and community care pathways - Cost-effectiveness and health service implications - Gaps in current guidelines and research priorities for rehabilitation - Innovative or emerging interventions that may enhance bronchiectasis management
Contributors are encouraged to submit manuscripts spanning basic science, clinical research, systematic reviews, practical experiences, or illustrative case studies that advance the understanding, accessibility, or clinical application of rehabilitation therapies in bronchiectasis.
Article types and fees
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
Brief Research Report
Case Report
Clinical Trial
Editorial
FAIR² Data
General Commentary
Hypothesis and Theory
Methods
Mini Review
Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.
Article types
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
