Safety and Efficacy of Inpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Patients Hospitalized with an Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-analyses

Rationale: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) during hospitalization for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) occurs during a period of disease instability for the patient, and the safety and efficacy of PR, specifically during the hospitalization period, have not been established. Objective: The purpose of this review is to determine the safety and efficacy of PR during the hospitalization phase for individuals with AECOPD. Methods: Scientific databases were searched up to August 2022 for randomized controlled trials that compared in-hospital PR with usual care. PR programs commenced during the hospitalization and included a minimum of two sessions. Titles and abstracts followed by full-text screening and data extraction were conducted independently by two reviewers. The intervention effect estimates were calculated through meta-analysis using a random-effect model. Results: A total of 27 studies were included (n = 1,317). The meta-analysis showed that inpatient PR improved the 6-minute-walk distance by 105 m (P < 0.001). Inpatient PR improved the performance on the five-repetition sit-to-stand test by -7.02 seconds (P = 0.03). Quality of life (QOL), as measured by the 5-level EuroQoL Group-5 dimension version (EQ-ED-5L) and the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, was significantly improved by the intervention. Inpatient PR increased lower limb muscle strength by 33.35 N (P < 0.001). There was no change in the length of stay. Only one serious adverse event related to the intervention was reported. Conclusions: This review suggests that it is safe and effective to provide PR during hospitalization for individuals with AECOPD. In-hospital PR improves functional exercise capacity, QOL, and lower limb strength without prolonging the hospital length of stay.