A pilot study of a culturally appropriate hospital-based pulmonary rehabilitation programme among adults with functionally limiting chronic respiratory diseases in Malawi

Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) are common in Malawi. Symptoms include activity-limiting chronic cough and breathlessness. CRDs expose patients to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Medications (e.g., inhalers) can help, but even in developed countries, they are used together with pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). PR includes exercise training, is highly effective and can improve many Malawians' well-being. However, most programmes were designed for high-income countries. I want to adapt these to resources and cultural environment of Malawi to benefit my patients. I will answer the questions: "What is a locally-appropriate PR programme for patients with CRDs in Malawi? What is its feasibility and acceptability in Malawi?" This "pilot" study could lead to better management of people with CRDs in Malawi. It would allow us to test the intervention on a larger scale to answer the question: "In developing countries, what is the utility of PR and how can this be programmatically delivered cost-effectively?"