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Each row is one question a systematic review asked: who, what, compared with what, and which outcome, with the effect it found and how certain that is. Words match anywhere in the field.
2,325 questions in 216 reviews · Airways
current versionsNo studies 249 · 10.7%Ungraded 107 · 4.6%Very low 276 · 11.9%Low 751 · 32.3%Moderate 718 · 30.9%High 224 · 9.6%
Ungraded means an effect was reported without a GRADE rating; it is not a gap. No studies means the review found nothing to answer the question. The six categories are a display order, not a score.
| Question | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Ventilation feedback training plus exercise vs exercise alone Walking capacity Change in 6‐minute walk distance (metres) · individuals with COPD Breathing exercises for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2012) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 40 participants | Low |
Ventilation feedback training plus exercise vs exercise alone Dyspnoea during treadmill walking Borg scale at isotime during constant work rate treadmill test Scale ranges from 0 to 10, with lower scores indicating less shortness of breath · individuals with COPD Breathing exercises for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2012) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 33 participants | Low |
Ventilation feedback training plus exercise vs exercise alone Dyspnoea after walking Change in Borg scale at end of 6‐minute walk test Scale ranges from 0 to 10, with lower scores indicating less shortness of breath · individuals with COPD Breathing exercises for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2012) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 40 participants | Low |
Ventilation feedback training plus exercise vs exercise alone Health‐related quality of life Dyspnoea domain of Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire Scale ranges from 1 to 7, with higher scores indicating less shortness of breath · individuals with COPD Breathing exercises for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2012) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 73 participants | Moderate |
Pursed lip breathing vs no breathing exercises Dyspnoea during daily life University of California San Diego Shortness of Breath Questionnaire Scores range from 0 to 120, with lower scores indicating less shortness of breath · individuals with COPD Breathing exercises for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2012) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 19 participants | Low |
Pursed lip breathing vs no breathing exercises Walking capacity 6‐minute walk distance (metres) · individuals with COPD Breathing exercises for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2012) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 30 participants | Low |
Pursed lip breathing vs no breathing exercises Health‐related quality of life Dyspnoea domain of Hiratsuka scale Scores range from 0 to 100, with lower scores indicating less shortness of breath · individuals with COPD Breathing exercises for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2012) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 60 participants | Low |
Diaphragmatic breathing vs no breathing exercises Dyspnoea Change in Medical Research Council Score · individuals with COPD Breathing exercises for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2012) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 30 participants | Moderate |
Diaphragmatic breathing vs no breathing exercises Walking capacity Change in 6‐minute walk distance (metres) · individuals with COPD Breathing exercises for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2012) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 30 participants | Moderate |
Diaphragmatic breathing vs no breathing exercises Health‐related quality of life Change in total score of St George Respiratory Questionnaire · individuals with COPD Breathing exercises for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2012) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 30 participants | Moderate |
Yoga vs no breathing exercises Dyspnoea intensity Modified Borg Scale at end of 6‐minute walk test · individuals with COPD Breathing exercises for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2012) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 29 participants | Low |
Yoga vs no breathing exercises Dyspnoea distress Modified Borg scale at end of 6‐minute walk test · individuals with COPD Breathing exercises for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2012) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 29 participants | Low |
Intervention NR Need for increased ventilatory assistance (invasive or non‐invasive) · individuals with an exacerbation of COPD Airway clearance techniques for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2012) · Cochrane | OR 0.21 [0.05, 0.85] | 4 studies · 171 participants | Low |
Intervention NR Duration of ventilatory assistance days · individuals with an exacerbation of COPD Airway clearance techniques for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2012) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 54 participants | Low |
Intervention NR Length of hospital stay days · individuals with an exacerbation of COPD Airway clearance techniques for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2012) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 3 studies · 171 participants | Low |
Tiotropium vs long‐acting beta‐agonists Quality of life (SGRQ) · patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and > 10 pack years smoking history Tiotropium versus long‐acting beta‐agonists for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2012) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 4 studies · 4935 participants | Ungraded |
Tiotropium vs long‐acting beta‐agonists Patients with 1 or more exacerbations · patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and > 10 pack years smoking history Tiotropium versus long‐acting beta‐agonists for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2012) · Cochrane | OR 0.86 [0.79, 0.93] | 6 studies · 12123 participants | Moderate |
Tiotropium vs long‐acting beta‐agonists Mortality (all‐cause) · patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and > 10 pack years smoking history Tiotropium versus long‐acting beta‐agonists for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2012) · Cochrane | OR 0.82 [0.6, 1.13] | 6 studies · 12123 participants | Very low |
Tiotropium vs long‐acting beta‐agonists Cost‐effectiveness · patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and > 10 pack years smoking history Tiotropium versus long‐acting beta‐agonists for stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2012) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 6 participants | Low |
IV + inhaled beta agonist vs inhaled beta‐agonist Admissions to hospital · patients with acute asthma Addition of intravenous beta₂‐agonists to inhaled beta₂‐agonists for acute asthma (2012) · Cochrane | OR 0.29 [0.06, 1.38] | 1 study · 29 participants | Low |
IV + inhaled beta agonist vs inhaled beta‐agonist Length of stay in emergency department · patients with acute asthma Addition of intravenous beta₂‐agonists to inhaled beta₂‐agonists for acute asthma (2012) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 46 participants | Moderate |
IV + inhaled beta agonist vs inhaled beta‐agonist Pulse rate at 2 hours · patients with acute asthma Addition of intravenous beta₂‐agonists to inhaled beta₂‐agonists for acute asthma (2012) · Cochrane | MD 10 | 1 study · 29 participants | Moderate |
IV + inhaled beta agonist vs inhaled beta‐agonist Clinical Failure (children with a severe to moderate overall clinical assessment score at two hours) · patients with acute asthma Addition of intravenous beta₂‐agonists to inhaled beta₂‐agonists for acute asthma (2012) · Cochrane | OR 0.09 [0.02, 0.38] | 1 study · 29 participants | Moderate |
IV beta‐agonists vs IV aminophylline Length of hospital stay · patients with acute asthma Intravenous beta₂‐agonists versus intravenous aminophylline for acute asthma (2012) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 73 participants | Moderate |
IV beta‐agonists vs IV aminophylline PEF (L/min) at 60 min · patients with acute asthma Intravenous beta₂‐agonists versus intravenous aminophylline for acute asthma (2012) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 59 participants | Moderate |
IV beta‐agonists vs IV aminophylline FEV1 (L) at 60 min · patients with acute asthma Intravenous beta₂‐agonists versus intravenous aminophylline for acute asthma (2012) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 59 participants | Moderate |
IV beta‐agonists vs IV aminophylline Heart Rate at 60 min · patients with acute asthma Intravenous beta₂‐agonists versus intravenous aminophylline for acute asthma (2012) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 3 studies · 82 participants | Low |
IV beta‐agonists vs IV aminophylline Clinical failure4 · patients with acute asthma Intravenous beta₂‐agonists versus intravenous aminophylline for acute asthma (2012) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 89 participants | Moderate |
Combination fluticasone/salmeterol vs budesonide/formoterol Participants experiencing exacerbations requiring oral steroid treatment · Patients with chronic asthma in adults and children Combination fluticasone and salmeterol versus fixed dose combination budesonide and formoterol for chronic… (2011) · Cochrane | OR 0.89 [0.74, 1.07] | 4 studies · 4949 participants | Moderate |
Combination fluticasone/salmeterol vs budesonide/formoterol Participants experiencing exacerbations requiring admission to hospital · Patients with chronic asthma in adults and children Combination fluticasone and salmeterol versus fixed dose combination budesonide and formoterol for chronic… (2011) · Cochrane | OR 1.29 [0.68, 2.47] | 4 studies · 4879 participants | Moderate |
Combination fluticasone/salmeterol vs budesonide/formoterol Asthma‐related serious adverse event · Patients with chronic asthma in adults and children Combination fluticasone and salmeterol versus fixed dose combination budesonide and formoterol for chronic… (2011) · Cochrane | OR 1.47 [0.75, 2.86] | 3 studies · 4054 participants | Moderate |
Combination fluticasone/salmeterol vs budesonide/formoterol Mortality · Patients with chronic asthma in adults and children Combination fluticasone and salmeterol versus fixed dose combination budesonide and formoterol for chronic… (2011) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 5 studies · 4819 participants | Low |
Combination fluticasone/salmeterol vs budesonide/formoterol Withdrawals (adverse events) · Patients with chronic asthma in adults and children Combination fluticasone and salmeterol versus fixed dose combination budesonide and formoterol for chronic… (2011) · Cochrane | OR 0.94 [0.6, 1.46] | 5 studies · 5082 participants | Moderate |
Intervention NR Peak exercise capacity: Power (W) · people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Optimal intensity and type of leg exercise training for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2011) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 8 studies · 367 participants | Moderate |
Intervention NR Peak exercise capacity: Peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) (L/min) · people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Optimal intensity and type of leg exercise training for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2011) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 5 studies · 188 participants | Moderate |
Intervention NR Peak exercise test: Lactate threshold (L/min) · people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Optimal intensity and type of leg exercise training for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2011) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 3 studies · 94 participants | Moderate |
Intervention NR Peak exercise test: Isowork minute ventilation (VE) (L) · people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Optimal intensity and type of leg exercise training for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2011) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 77 participants | Low |
Intervention NR Peak exercise test: Isowork dyspnoea score · people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Optimal intensity and type of leg exercise training for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2011) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 36 participants | Low |
Intervention NR Exercise tolerance: Endurance time (min) · people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Optimal intensity and type of leg exercise training for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2011) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 41 participants | Low |
Intervention NR Functional exercise capacity: Six‐minute walk distance (m) · people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Optimal intensity and type of leg exercise training for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2011) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 6 studies · 287 participants | Low |
Intervention NR Health‐related Quality of Life: Dyspnoea domain of the CRQ · people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Optimal intensity and type of leg exercise training for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2011) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 4 studies · 212 participants | Moderate |
Education vs control Exacerbations leading to emergency department visits · children with asthma Home‐based educational interventions for children with asthma (2011) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 8 studies · 985 participants | Very low |
Education vs control Mean exacerbations requiring a course of oral corticosteroids · children with asthma Home‐based educational interventions for children with asthma (2011) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 500 participants | Very low |
Education vs other home‐based education Exacerbations leading to ED visits · patients with children with asthma Home‐based educational interventions for children with asthma (2011) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 181 participants | Very low |
Education vs other home‐based education Mean exacerbations requiring a course of oral corticosteroids · patients with children with asthma Home‐based educational interventions for children with asthma (2011) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 193 participants | Very low |
Formoterol vs short‐acting beta2‐agonist Patients with an exacerbation requiring hospitalisation · Patients with asthma Formoterol versus short‐acting beta‐agonists as relief medication for adults and children with asthma (2010) · Cochrane | OR 0.84 [0.67, 1.04] | 7 studies · 22236 participants | Moderate |
Formoterol vs short‐acting beta2‐agonist Patients with an exacerbation requiring a course of oral corticosteroids · Patients with asthma Formoterol versus short‐acting beta‐agonists as relief medication for adults and children with asthma (2010) · Cochrane | OR 0.84 [0.77, 0.91] | 6 studies · 21591 participants | Moderate |
Formoterol vs short‐acting beta2‐agonist Fatal serious adverse events (all‐cause) · Patients with asthma Formoterol versus short‐acting beta‐agonists as relief medication for adults and children with asthma (2010) · Cochrane | OR 1.08 [0.51, 2.3] | 5 studies · 21629 participants | Low |
Formoterol vs short‐acting beta2‐agonist Patients with a serious adverse event (all cause) · Patients with asthma Formoterol versus short‐acting beta‐agonists as relief medication for adults and children with asthma (2010) · Cochrane | OR 0.94 [0.81, 1.08] | 7 studies · 22538 participants | Low |
Formoterol vs short‐acting beta2‐agonist Patients with a serious adverse event (asthma related) · Patients with asthma Formoterol versus short‐acting beta‐agonists as relief medication for adults and children with asthma (2010) · Cochrane | OR 0.91 [0.72, 1.15] | 6 studies · 21986 participants | Low |