Study	Reason for exclusion
Aggarwal 2009	This prospective randomised controlled trial aimed to evaluate if the combination of pressure‐support ventilation (PSV) and automatic tube compensation (ATC) is superior to PSV alone in weaning patients with severe neurotoxic snake envenoming receiving mechanical ventilation. The trial was excluded as it did not compare non‐invasive ventilation (NIV) to invasive ventilation.
Chaisson 2006	This randomised clinical pilot study evaluated the efficacy of high‐frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) administered through the VestTM Airway Clearance System when added to standard care in preventing pulmonary complications and prolonging survival in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The trial was excluded as it did not compare NIV to invasive ventilation, and did not include patients with acute respiratory failure.
Chatwin 2008	This prospective randomised controlled trial evaluated long‐term home mechanical ventilation (HMV) in outpatients and inpatients who had stable neuromuscular and chest wall disease with nocturnal hypoventilation. The trial was excluded as did not compare NIV to invasive ventilation, and did not include patients with acute respiratory failure.
Fanfulla 2005	This trial studied nine inpatients affected by chronic respiratory failure or nocturnal hypoventilation due to miscellaneous neuromuscular disorders who were admitted during a period of clinical stability for a follow‐up control. The trial was excluded as it did not compare NIV to invasive ventilation.
Jackson 2001	This prospective randomised study was performed in 20 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients who had an forced vital capacity (FVC) of 70% to 100% received non‐invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV). The trial was excluded as it did not compare NIV to invasive ventilation.
Jaye 2009	This randomised cross‐over trial compared the efficacy of automatic titration of non‐invasive ventilation (NIV) with conventional NIV in stable neuromuscular and chest wall disorder patients established on long‐term ventilatory support. The trial was excluded as it did not compare NIV to invasive ventilation, and did not include patients with acute respiratory failure.
Lechtzin 2010	This prospective trial compared lung compliance (CL) before and after supramaximal lung inflation via mouthpiece‐delivered positive pressure. The trial was excluded as it did not compare NIV to invasive ventilation.
Martin 2000	This prospective randomised trial compared bilevel positive airway pressure, with usual medical care (UMC) in the therapy of patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF). The trial was excluded as it did not compare NIV to invasive ventilation.
Nava 2008	This randomised cross‐over pilot study investigated the clinical effects of heated humidification (HH) and heat and moisture exchanger (HME) during long‐term non‐invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) in stable hypercapnic patients. The trial was excluded as it did not compare NIV to invasive ventilation and did not include patients with acute respiratory failure.
Piastra 2006	This prospective pilot study was carried out on neuromuscular patients admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). The trial was excluded as it did not compare NIV to invasive ventilation.
Reardon 2005	This randomised controlled study was conducted to compare efficacy of intrapulmonary percussive ventilation (IPV) with incentive spirometry (IS) in reducing number of days of antibiotic use in adolescents with neuromuscular disease. The trial was exclude as it did not compare NIV to invasive ventilation.
Sancho 2003	This prospective cross‐over study compared the effects of mechanical insufflation‐exsufflation vs. suctioning via tracheostomy tubes on respiratory variables for six patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The trial was excluded as it did not compare NIV to invasive ventilation.
Tejeda 1997	This short‐term (4h) prospective study assessed whether pressure support ventilation (PSV) could be used as an alternative ventilatory mode to assist‐control (A/C) ventilation in the treatment of respiratory failure. The trial was excluded as it did not compare NIV to invasive ventilation.
Toussaint 2003	This randomised, cross‐over study compared assisted mucus clearance techniques with and without intrapulmonary percussive ventilation (IPV). The trial was excluded as it did not compare NIV to invasive ventilation.