The use of diaphragm and lung ultrasound in acute respiratory physiotherapy practice and the impact on clinical decision-making: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Diaphragm and lung ultrasound (DLUS) is emerging as an important point-of-care respiratory assessment tool and is being used in clinical care by trained respiratory physiotherapists, both in Australia and internationally. However, the impact of DLUS on physiotherapists' clinical decision-making remains largely unknown. This systematic review aims to review the evidence for implementing DLUS in acute respiratory physiotherapy management.

REVIEW METHOD USED: We conducted a systematic review.

DATA SOURCES: We searched PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, CENTRAL, and Scopus from inception to 18th April 2023 for all original clinical studies reporting on the physiotherapy clinical decision-making, following a DLUS examination and/or where DLUS was used to evaluate the effect of respiratory physiotherapy, in adults over 18 years of age.

REVIEW METHODS: Two authors independently performed study selection and data extraction. Individual study risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, and certainty in outcomes was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations framework.

RESULTS: A total of seven observational studies (n = 299) were included, all of which were in the intensive care setting. DLUS changed physiotherapy diagnosis, management, and treatment in 63.9% (50-64%), 16.8% (15-50%), and 48.4% (25-50%) of patients, respectively. There was a significant improvement in the lung ultrasound score post respiratory physiotherapy treatment (mean difference -2.31, 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI) -4.42 to -0.21; very low certainty) compared to before respiratory physiotherapy treatment. Moderate risk of bias was present in six studies, and there was variance in the DLUS methodology across included studies.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this review suggest DLUS influences physiotherapy clinical decision-making and can be used to evaluate the effects of acute respiratory physiotherapy treatment. However, the available data is limited, and further high-quality studies are needed.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews; CRD42023418312.