Table III.
Summary of findings
| Outcomes | Results from narrative synthesis or meta-analyses with the effect size Standardized mean difference (95% confidence interval) | Number of participants (studies) | Certainty of the evidence* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Functioning | ⊗OOO | ||
| Functional assessments | The studies showed small or no effect in functioning | 119 participants (4 randomized controlled trials and 1 clinical controlled trial) | Very low Due to very serious ROB, serious inconsistency, serious imprecision (variance in reported results and low numbers of participants) |
| Lung function | The studies showed no effect on lung function | 163 participants (2 randomized controlled trials, 3 cross-over trials and 2 clinical controlled trials) | ⊗OOO Very low Due to very serious ROB, serious inconsistency, serious imprecision. |
| Health-related Quality of life | One study showed non-significant improvement, the mean HRQoL improved 2.4 (SD 3.3) in intervention group and 1.4 (SD 2.4) in the control group by Kidscreen 52. | 19 participants (1 randomized controlled trial) | ⊗OOO Very low Due to serious ROB, serious to very serious inconsistency and imprecision (1 study, few participants) |
| Muscular strength | 0.92 (0.21, 1.63) | 126 (5 randomized controlled trials and 1 cross-over trial) | ⊗OOO Very low Due to very serious ROB, serious imprecision (e.g. low number of participants), very serious inconsistency (large CI). |
| Endurance | 0.64 (0.21, 1.08) | 89 participants (4 randomized controlled trials, 1 clinical controlled trial) | ⊗OOO Very low Due to very serious ROB, serious inconsistency (broad CI), and serious indirectness (low numbers of participants and variance in reported results). |
The primary outcomes were functioning and health-related quality of life for which a narrative synthesis of the evidence was provided. For the secondary outcomes by muscular strength and endurance, a pooled effect estimate was possible.
*
Commonly used symbols to describe certainty of evidence profiles: high certainty ⊗⊗⊗⊗, moderate certainty ⊗⊗⊗O, low certainty ⊗⊗OO and very low certainty ⊗OOO.