Respiratory rehabilitation in patients recovering from severe acute respiratory syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Apurba Barman, Mithilesh K Sinha, Jagannatha Sahoo and 2 others
PMID 35108624WHAT IT FOUND
Respiratory rehabilitation improved six-minute walk distance by 45.79 m in pooled comparative studies.
Lung function changes were mixed, quality of life did not clearly improve, and no serious adverse events were reported.
Key findings
01Pooled comparative studies found respiratory rehabilitation increased six-minute walk distance by a mean difference of 45.79 m (95% CI 31.66 to 59.92 m).
02The quality-of-life pooled estimates remained non-significant across the outcome scales used.
03No significant adverse events were reported during or after respiratory rehabilitation, and mortality did not differ significantly between groups.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
Most included studies were observational, and only eight comparative studies were pooled, so the evidence is weaker than a single well-powered randomised trial. Respiratory rehabilitation programmes varied widely in setting, duration, components, and frequency, so the review cannot identify the best programme. Outcomes were measured only immediately after programmes lasting 1 to 6 weeks; long-term effects were not assessed. The review cannot separate the contribution of aerobic exercise, respiratory muscle training, strength training, occupational therapy, education, relaxation, or psychological support because programmes varied. Quality of life and activities of daily living results were not clear, with wide confidence intervals and high heterogeneity. Some pooled analyses were based on a small number of studies, and the search was limited to English.
Declared interests
The authors declared no competing interests or financial benefits.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the 45.79 m walk-distance gain as proof that respiratory rehabilitation improves independence or quality of life. The walk-distance result came from five comparative studies, and the quality-of-life pooled estimates were non-significant.