Table 5

Summary of findings; intervention: physical rehabilitation

WHO domain outcomeReview author; N studies: N patientsPooled effect (95% CI)GRADE of evidenceExplanation
Activity limitation
Functional exercise capacityConnolly et al13
6
483*
Unable to pool data due to variability in use of outcome measures across individual studiesϴ
Very low
Downgraded −3 due to variability in multiple aspects of methodology across studies, risk of bias and differences in data reporting
Participation restriction
Health-related quality of LifeConnolly et al13
2
254*
Unable to pool data due to variability in use of outcome measures across individual studies and small study numberϴ
Very low
Downgraded −3 due to variability in multiple aspects of methodology across studies, risk of bias and differences in data reporting
Healthcare utilisation
MortalityConnolly et al13
6
483
Unable to pool data due to variation in study design; no deaths reported in two studies; no difference in mortality rates between intervention and control groups in remaining four studiesϴϴ
Low
Downgraded −2 due to serious inconsistency and imprecision
Adverse events
Non-mortality adverse eventsConnolly et al13
4
376
Three studies reported no adverse events; one study reported no significant difference between groups for adverse events (n=1 event only)ϴϴ
Low
Downgraded −2 due to lack of reported data from two studies and serious imprecision
  • Comparison: usual care. Stage of recovery: post-ICU discharge. *Data reported are overall number of participants enrolled in each study. Multiple outcome measures were observed across studies with variable numbers of patients for each measure according to each study.

  • ICU, intensive care unit.