Methodological Quality of Randomized Clinical Trials of Respiratory Physiotherapy in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Patients in the Intensive Care Unit: a Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE: To assess methodological quality of the randomized controlled trials of physiotherapy in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting in the intensive care unit. METHODS: The studies published until May 2015, in MEDLINE, Cochrane and PEDro were included. The primary outcome extracted was proper filling of the Cochrane Collaboration's tool's items and the secondary was suitability to the requirements of the CONSORT Statement and its extension. RESULTS: From 807 studies identified, 39 were included. Most at CONSORT items showed a better adequacy after the statement's publication. Studies with positive outcomes presented better methodological quality. CONCLUSION: The methodological quality of the studies has been improving over the years. However, many aspects can still be better designed.