Effectiveness of Pulmonary Rehabilitation among COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The manuscript by Sameer Badri AL-Mhanna et al. entitled “Effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation among COVID -19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis” aimed to evaluates the effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation on COVID-19 patients.

I read with great interest this paper. The abstract summarizes the general significance of the manuscript and the article leads some evidence to such point. The methods section and the inclusion / exclusion criteria are well explained

-However, the exact period of enrolment of patients in the different studies is not clear: some of the enrolled patients were already vaccinated?

-Moreover, it would be interesting to know if rehabilitation is a protective factor towards long-covid syndrome. Is it possibile to analyze this point?

-Finally, the bibliography should be expanded and updated; accordingly, these articles should be cited:

- Mammi P, Ranza E, Rampello A, et al. Post COVID-19 ongoing symptoms and health related quality of life: does rehabilitation matter? Preliminary evidence [published online ahead of print, 2022 Aug 16]. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2022;10.1097/PHM.0000000000002089. doi:10.1097/PHM.0000000000002089

- Visco V, Vitale C, Rispoli A, Izzo C, Virtuoso N, Ferruzzi GJ, Santopietro M, Melfi A, Rusciano MR, Maglio A, Di Pietro P, Carrizzo A, Galasso G, Vatrella A, Vecchione C, Ciccarelli M. Post-COVID-19 Syndrome: Involvement and Interactions between Respiratory, Cardiovascular and Nervous Systems. J Clin Med. 2022 Jan 20;11(3):524. doi: 10.3390/jcm11030524. PMID: 35159974; PMCID: PMC8836767.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

I think it not necessary to describe how the meta analysis was conducted (among other things, you have omitted what outcome you based on) .. for the PRISMA guidelines describe Population, Intervention, Comparator and Outcome. A draft of search strategy is necessary.. most of all why 2021 and not 2022?

Keywords: Long COVID

When you say “others—connotes a substantial source of psychosocial stressors” I would amply the scenario with a statement like this << However, COVID-19 might have detrimental sequelae even after the post-acute phase, depicting a new pathological condition: the “post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS)” or “long COVID” >> reference: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/17/8593

I recommend putting PROSPERO in the abstract to increase the caliber of the manuscript

In 2.2 paragraph I would recall the PICO! As in the results (Population, Intervention, Comparator and Outcome)

2.7 I suggest evaluation via the Joanna Briggs .. the RoB2, only if the studies included were clear RCT

Figures, eye on where you describe "in favor of" .. because I think you have reversed. It happens with RevMan

Put a clear paragraph of limitations

Conclusion. Remove Authors

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Dear authors, you have addressed appropriately to my concerns.

Author Response

Thank you

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear authors, you have addressed appropriately to my concerns

Author Response

Thank you