Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42638196›Full record

SynthesisNursing in critical care2026

Efficacy and Safety of Mechanical Insufflation-Exsufflation in Invasively Ventilated Critically Ill Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Zhiqun Liu, Guiling Liao, Hui Wen, Xiaotong Han, Maiying Fan, Shuzhen Mao, Xiaohua Liu, Huan Wan

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-AnalysisReview
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Nursing in critical care, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Zhiqun LiuDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Clinical Research Center for Emergency and Critical Care in Hunan Province, Hunan Provincial Institute of Emergency Medicine, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Emergency and Critical Care Metabonomics, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China.
Guiling LiaoSchool of Nursing, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0001-0491-338X
Hui WenDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Clinical Research Center for Emergency and Critical Care in Hunan Province, Hunan Provincial Institute of Emergency Medicine, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Emergency and Critical Care Metabonomics, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6723-1690
Xiaotong HanDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Clinical Research Center for Emergency and Critical Care in Hunan Province, Hunan Provincial Institute of Emergency Medicine, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Emergency and Critical Care Metabonomics, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China.
Maiying FanDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Clinical Research Center for Emergency and Critical Care in Hunan Province, Hunan Provincial Institute of Emergency Medicine, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Emergency and Critical Care Metabonomics, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China.
Shuzhen MaoDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Clinical Research Center for Emergency and Critical Care in Hunan Province, Hunan Provincial Institute of Emergency Medicine, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Emergency and Critical Care Metabonomics, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China.
Xiaohua LiuDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Clinical Research Center for Emergency and Critical Care in Hunan Province, Hunan Provincial Institute of Emergency Medicine, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Emergency and Critical Care Metabonomics, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China.
Huan WanHunan Provincial People's Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3382-3139

Funding

Hunan Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China 2024JJ9148Hunan Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China 2025JJ80740
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MI-E) is increasingly used in invasively ventilated adults in the intensive care unit (ICU), yet its therapeutic efficacy and safety remain uncertain due to inconsistent evidence.

aimTo synthesize evidence on the clinical efficacy and safety of MI-E in this population and to examine methodological and clinical heterogeneity underlying reported outcomes. STUDY

designA systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized studies (including RCTs and randomized crossover trials), conducted following PRISMA guidelines, with risk of bias assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool.

resultsFive randomized controlled trials involving 310 patients were included. Meta-analysis showed that mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MI-E) significantly increased sputum clearance (SMD = 0.63, 95% CI, 0.32-0.93; p < 0.00011; I

conclusionsMI-E significantly improves sputum clearance in invasively ventilated critically ill adults, with no severe adverse events reported in the included studies. Its effects on other outcomes remain inconclusive due to limited data and heterogeneity. Standardized protocols and larger trials are needed. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Clinicians may consider MI-E as an adjunct for respiratory secretion management. Application should be guided by structured patient assessment and individualized parameter adjustment. Future research should standardize interventions and target well-defined patient subgroups to inform clear practice guidelines.

trial registrationThe review protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, with registration number CRD42023403299.

Indexed as

Critical IllnessInsufflationRespiration, ArtificialHumansIntensive Care UnitsRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicSputumairway clearancecough‐assistmechanical insufflation–exsufflationmeta‐analysisventilated critically

Identifiers

PMID42638196
PMCPMC13503978

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.