2. Sensitivity analysis ‐ any risk of bias vs. low risk of bias.
| Outcome | Effect estimate from analysis with all studies | Effect estimate from sensitivity analysis with studies removed |
| CRQ Total (HRQoL) | MD 0.54, 95% CI 0.04 to 1.03 (N = 258; S = 4) |
MD 0.16, 95% CI ‐0.13 to 0.46 (N = 211; S = 2) |
| CRQ Dyspnoea (HRQoL) | MD 0.28, 95% CI‐0.52 to 1.08 (N = 210; S = 4) |
MD ‐0.20, 95% CI ‐0.80 to 0.40 (N = 73; S = 1) |
| CRQ Fatigue (HRQoL) | MD 0.40, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.74 (N = 210; S = 4) |
MD 0.25, 95% CI ‐0.46 to 0.96 (N = 73; S = 1) |
| CRQ Emotion (HRQoL) | MD 0.60, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.98 (N = 210; S = 4) |
MD 0.29, 95% CI ‐0.31 to 0.89 (N = 73; S = 1) |
| CRQ Mastery (HRQoL) | MD 0.57, 95% CI 0.08 to 1.05 (N = 210; S = 4) |
MD 0.25, 95% CI ‐0.33 to 0.83 (N = 73; S = 1) |
| SGRQ Total (HRQoL) | MD ‐1.55, 95% CI ‐4.91 to 1.81 (N = 276; S = 5) |
MD ‐5.06, 95% CI ‐11.55 to 1.44 (N = 107; S = 2) |
| SGRQ Symptoms (HRQoL) | MD ‐0.29, 95% CI ‐6.32 to 5.73 (N = 234; S = 4) |
MD ‐1.73, 95% CI ‐10.55 to 7.09 (N = 107; S = 2) |
| SGRQ Activity (HRQoL) | MD ‐2.57, 95% CI ‐8.04 to 2.90 (N = 234; S = 4) |
MD ‐5.22, 95% CI ‐12.90 to 2.45 (N = 107; S = 2) |
| SGRQ Impact (HRQoL) | MD ‐2.15, 95% CI ‐6.70 to 2.40 (N = 234; S = 4) |
MD ‐6.20, 95% CI ‐12.93 to 0.53 (N = 107; S = 2) |
| SF‐36 Physical (HRQoL) | MD ‐0.72, 95% CI ‐3.86 to 2.43 (N = 219; S = 2) |
MD ‐0.30, 95% CI ‐3.60 to 3.00 (N = 138; S = 1) |
| SF‐36 Mental (HRQoL) | MD ‐0.42, 95% CI ‐3.56 to 2.72 (N = 219; S = 2) |
MD ‐0.70, 95% CI ‐4.04 to 2.64 (N = 138; S = 1) |
| CAT (HRQoL) | MD‐6.08, 95% CI ‐8.07 to‐4.09 (N = 147; S = 2) |
MD ‐3.60, 95% CI ‐8.37 to 1.17 (N = 36; S = 1) |
| EuroQoL‐5D (HRQoL) | MD 0.01, 95% CI ‐0.07 to 0.09 (N = 150; S = 2) |
MD 0.01, 95% CI ‐0.07 to 0.09 (N = 150; S = 2) |
| 6MWD (Exercise capacity) | MD 25.91, 95% CI ‐1.03 to 52.85 (N = 639; S = 10) |
MD 18.73, 95% CI ‐10.73 to 48.20 (N = 236; S = 3) |
| ISWT (Exercise capacity) | MD 4.15, 95% CI ‐44.93 to 53.23 (N = 111; S = 2) |
MD 14.00, 95% CI ‐54.88 to 82.88 (N = 63; S = 1) |
| ESWT (Exercise capacity) | MD 26.90, 95% CI ‐60.56 to 114.36 (N = 369; S = 5) |
MD 37.71, 95% CI ‐91.61 to 167.03 (N = 147; S = 2) |
| Hospital admission (subgroup) | RR ranged from ‐0.20 to 0.30 (N = 332; S = 3) |
RR ranged from ‐0.06 to 0.30 (N = 284; S = 2) |
| Hospital admission (subgroup) | OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.14 to 3.69 (N = 142; S = 2) |
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6MWD: six‐minute walk distance; CAT: COPD assessment test; CRQ: chronic respiratory questionnaire; ESWT: endurance shuttle walk test; HRQoL: health‐related quality of life; ISWT: incremental shuttle walk test; MD: mean difference; N: number of participants; OR: odds ratio; RR: risk ratio; S: number of studies; SF‐36: Short Form 36; SGRQ: St George's Respiratory Questionnaire.