Management of Bronchial Asthma in Children and Physical Therapy Role: Review Article

Background : Bronchial asthma is described as a persistent inflammatory condition that disrupts the airways and respiratory system, leading to infrequent occurrences of wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest constriction, and coughing. The disease is on the rise globally; it is estimated that approximately 14% of children have experienced asthma symptoms that affect their activities of daily living. Purpose: This study aimed to explore bronchial asthma in children and the role of physical therapy in its management. Methods: The published studies in PubMed, LILACS, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library Scholar that studied bronchial asthma were reviewed with the following keywords: obstructive airway disease, breathing exercise, inspiratory muscle training, physical training, and physical therapy in children. Studies that aligned with the scope of the current research were included, while those that did not align were excluded. Results: The recommended treatment of bronchial asthma is divided into 5 main categories that are widely used, like inspiratory muscle training (IMT), breathing exercises, manual therapy, stretching exercises, and physical training. Conclusion: The reviewed studies highlight that the management of bronchial asthma can be effectively addressed through four primary physical therapy approaches: inspiratory muscle training (IMT), breathing exercises, manual therapy, stretching exercises, and physical training. The literature review highlights the importance of these methods as complementary interventions in the comprehensive treatment of bronchial asthma