What do systematic reviews say?

HFNC vs continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)

Nasal high flow showed no clear difference in BPD (supplemental oxygen/respiratory support at 36 weeks'… compared with continuous positive airway pressure (low certainty).

• Nasal high flow therapy for primary respiratory support in preterm infants 2023 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 1.14 [0.74, 1.76]
  8 studies · 1917 participants
  Low

HFNC vs continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)

Nasal high flow probably leads to higher treatment failure within 72 hours of trial entry compared with continuous positive airway pressure (moderate certainty).

• Nasal high flow therapy for primary respiratory support in preterm infants 2023 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 1.7 [1.41, 2.06]
  9 studies · 2042 participants
  Moderate

HFNC vs continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)

Nasal high flow showed no clear difference in mechanical ventilation within 72 hours of trial entry compared with continuous positive airway pressure (moderate certainty).

• Nasal high flow therapy for primary respiratory support in preterm infants 2023 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 1.04 [0.82, 1.31]
  9 studies · 2042 participants
  Moderate

HFNC vs continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)

Nasal high flow showed no clear difference in pneumothorax (during assigned treatment) compared with continuous positive airway pressure (moderate certainty).

• Nasal high flow therapy for primary respiratory support in preterm infants 2023 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.66 [0.4, 1.08]
  10 studies · 2094 participants
  Moderate

HFNC vs continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)

Nasal high flow probably leads to lower nasal trauma (during assigned treatment) compared with continuous positive airway pressure (moderate certainty).

• Nasal high flow therapy for primary respiratory support in preterm infants 2023 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.49 [0.36, 0.68]
  7 studies · 1595 participants
  Moderate

HFNC vs nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation

It is very uncertain whether nasal high flow changes death (before hospital discharge) or BPD (supplemental… compared with nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (very low certainty).

• Nasal high flow therapy for primary respiratory support in preterm infants 2023 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.64 [0.3, 1.37]
  2 studies · 182 participants
  Very low

HFNC vs nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation

Nasal high flow showed no clear difference in death (before hospital discharge) compared with nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (low certainty).

• Nasal high flow therapy for primary respiratory support in preterm infants 2023 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.78 [0.36, 1.69]
  3 studies · 254 participants
  Low

Summary of findings ‐ PEP vs PDPV

• Positive expiratory pressure physiotherapy for airway clearance in people with cystic fibrosis 2019 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  5 studies · 155 participants
  Low

Summary of findings ‐ PEP vs oscillating PEP

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Positive expiratory pressure physiotherapy for airway clearance in people with cystic fibrosis 2019 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Summary of findings ‐ PEP vs oscillating PEP

• Positive expiratory pressure physiotherapy for airway clearance in people with cystic fibrosis 2019 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  2 studies · 68 participants
  Moderate

Summary of findings ‐ PEP vs oscillating PEP

• Positive expiratory pressure physiotherapy for airway clearance in people with cystic fibrosis 2019 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  2 studies · 75 participants
  Low

Summary of findings ‐ PEP vs oscillating PEP

• Positive expiratory pressure physiotherapy for airway clearance in people with cystic fibrosis 2019 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  1 study · 30 participants
  Low

Summary of findings ‐ PEP vs oscillating PEP

• Positive expiratory pressure physiotherapy for airway clearance in people with cystic fibrosis 2019 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  22 participants
  Low

Summary of findings ‐ PEP vs HFCWO

• Positive expiratory pressure physiotherapy for airway clearance in people with cystic fibrosis 2019 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  4 studies · 174 participants
  Low

Summary of findings ‐ PEP vs HFCWO

Summary of findings ‐ PEP leads to lower number of respiratory exacerbations compared with HFCWO (high certainty).

• Positive expiratory pressure physiotherapy for airway clearance in people with cystic fibrosis 2019 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.73 [0.55, 0.95]
  1 study · 107 participants
  High

Summary of findings ‐ PEP vs HFCWO

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Positive expiratory pressure physiotherapy for airway clearance in people with cystic fibrosis 2019 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Summary of findings ‐ PEP vs HFCWO

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Positive expiratory pressure physiotherapy for airway clearance in people with cystic fibrosis 2019 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Summary of findings ‐ PEP vs HFCWO

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Positive expiratory pressure physiotherapy for airway clearance in people with cystic fibrosis 2019 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Summary of findings ‐ PEP vs PDPV

• Positive expiratory pressure physiotherapy for airway clearance in people with cystic fibrosis 2019 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  1 study · 66 participants
  Low

Summary of findings ‐ PEP vs HFCWO

• Positive expiratory pressure physiotherapy for airway clearance in people with cystic fibrosis 2019 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  15 participants
  Very low