Table 2

Summary of included studies

Reference	Study design	Exercise	Comparator	Sample size		Age (years)*		ppFEV₁*		Clinical stability	Relevant outcomes
Reference	Study design	Exercise	Comparator	Ex	Com	Ex	Com	Ex	Com	Clinical stability	Relevant outcomes
Exercise versus rest
Baldwin et al 16	Crossover	Mixed	Rest	8		18–27		63.6 (6.6)†		Acute exacerbation	Respiratory function tests, sputum weight
Dwyer et al 17	Crossover	Cycle ergometry treadmill	Rest	14		18–44, 27 (7)‡		19–108, 55 (27)‡		Stable	Respiratory function tests, participant ease of expectoration
Kreimler et al (Radkte et al)19	Crossover	Cycle ergometry trampoline	Rest (billiards)	12		15.9–28.9, 20.8 (3.5)‡		33.3–89.9, 62.8 (17.7)‡		Not specified	Respiratory function tests, sputum weight
Exercise versus rest/traditional ACT
Dwyer et al 18	Crossover	Treadmill	Rest Flutter	24		19–48, 30 (8)‡		28–86, 51 (18)‡		Stable	Respiratory function tests, participant ease of expectoration, adverse events
Dwyer et al 20	Crossover	Treadmill	Rest PEP	15		18–48, 27 (9)‡		31–113, 65 (23)‡		Stable	Mucociliary clearance, adverse events
Exercise versus traditional ACT
Aquino et al 21	Crossover	Active video game	PEP	13		7–29		46–102		Stable	Sputum weight
Balestri et al 22	Crossover	Cycle ergometry	Bubble PEP	13		10–41		54–95		Stable	Sputum weight
Bilton et al (Bilton et al)23	Crossover	Cycle ergometry	ACBT with PD	18		16–34		18–98		Stable	Respiratory function tests, sputum weight, participant perception and treatment preference, adverse events
Cerny24	RCT	Cycle ergometry	PD with P&V	9	8	15.4 (4.9)‡	15.9 (4.9)‡	NS	NS	Acute exacerbation	Respiratory function tests, sputum weight
Falk et al 198825	Crossover	Cycle ergometry	PEP	12		NS		NS		Stable	Respiratory function tests, sputum weight
Lannefors et al 199226	Crossover	Cycle ergometry	PEP PD with TEE	9		12–36		20–78, 51 (NS)‡		Stable	Mucociliary clearance
Reix et al 2012 (Reix et al 2009)27	Crossover	Mixed	mACBT	32		12 (3)‡		93 (14)§	94 (14)§	Stable	Respiratory function tests, sputum weight, participant satisfaction, adverse events

*Range unless otherwise specified.
†Mean (SEM).
‡Mean (SD).
§Mean (95% CI).
ACBT with PD, active cycle of breathing technique with postural drainage; ACT, airway clearance technique; CPET, cardiopulmonary exercise testing; mACBT, modified active cycle of breathing technique; NS, not specified; PD with P&V, postural drainage, percussion and vibration; PD with TEE, postural drainage and thoracic expansion exercises; PEP, positive expiratory pressure; ppFEV₁, percent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second.