Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2025
Using Continuous Data Tracking Technology to Study Exercise Adherence in Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Published on: November 8, 2013
Effectiveness of respiratory rehabilitation in patients with COVID-19: A meta-analysis
Fauzi Ashra1,2, Hsiu-Ju Jen1,3, Doresses Liu1,4,5
1School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Aim:
Examine effectiveness of respiratory rehabilitation and moderating factors on lung function and exercise capacity in post-COVID-19 patients.
Design:
Meta-analysis.
Methods:
R software 4.0.2 assessed the effectiveness of respiratory rehabilitation adopting the random-effects model and presenting standardised mean differences (SMDs). Heterogeneity was determined by Cochran's Q and I2 . The Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 and MINORS evaluated quality of the included studies.
Data Sources:
A comprehensive search was undertaken in Cochrane, Embase, Ovid-MEDLINE, Scopus, NCBI SARS-CoV-2 Resources, ProQuest, Web of Science and CINAHL until March 2022.
Results:
Of the 5703 identified studies, 12 articles with 596 post-COVID-19 patients were included. Eleven of our twelve studies had moderate to high quality and one study had high risk of bias assessed with MINORS and RoB 2 tool. Overall, respiratory rehabilitation was effective in improving forced expiratory volume in 1 s (1.14; 95%CI 0.39-1.18), forced vital capacity (0.98; 95%CI 0.39-1.56), total lung capacity (0.83; 95%CI 0.22-1.44), 6-minute walk distance (1.56; 95%CI 1.10-2.02) and quality of life (0.99; 95%CI 0.38-1.60). However, no significant differences were observed for ratio of the forced expiratory volume in 1 s to the forced vital capacity of the lungs, anxiety and depression. Respiratory rehabilitation for post-COVID-19 patients was effective in those without comorbidities, performed four types of exercise programs, frequency ≥3 times/week and rehabilitation time 6 weeks.
Conclusions:
Respiratory rehabilitation improved lung function, exercise capacity and quality of life in post-COVID-19 patients. The findings suggest rehabilitation programs for post-COVID-19 patients should use multiple respiratory exercise programs with frequency of ≥3 times per week for longer than 6 weeks.
Impact:
These findings will help improve the implementation of respiratory rehabilitation programs for post-COVID-19 patients.
Implications For The Profession:
Our findings can be used to develop patient-centred respiratory rehabilitation interventions by nurses and clinicians for post-COVID-19 patients.
Reporting Method:
PRISMA guideline was followed.
Patient Or Public Contribution:
No patient or public contribution.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Acute Respiratory Failure-V
Ensure that patients are monitored continuously for their response to therapy, including changes in...
01:26COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids
01:28Pneumonia IV: Management
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include:
01:19Respiratory Assessment: Purpose and Indications
Objectives and Importance:
The primary goal of respiratory assessment is to evaluate patients at early risk of clinical deterioration. Since respiratory distress often precedes other signs of declining health, breathing patterns and sounds become a...
01:30Acute Respiratory Failure-III
01:29Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Management
Smoking Cessation