Table 2

Symptom score outcomes of included studies pre–post completed intervention

Validated scales
StudyN*Validated symptom scaleTime point pre–post data collectedPremean/median† (SD/range)Post mean/median† (SD/range)P value
Baxter et al, 20193435ACQ12 months2.50 (1.32)2.05 (1.14)0.19
ACT12 months13.21 (4.73)14.69 (4.94)0.28
Haines et al,35 2016‡16VCDQNR46† (20–60)38† (12–50)§0.017
Halevi-Katz,36 2019‡12DI3 weeks2.00 (5.39)16.83 (3.31)§0.0016
Murry et al,38 2010‡12¶RSI-7NRNRNR0.05**
Olley et al, 2013404D12NR18.6 (7.8)6.3 (5.7)NR
Non-Validated scales
1) Polar question—‘Have your symptoms improved?’
StudyN*Time pre–post% responding YESP value
Krammer et al, 20173325NR92NR
Marcinow et al, 20151834NR100 (>2 sessions) 29 (1 session)NR
Murry et al,38 2010‡16NRNR (asked separately for cough, throat clear and hoarseness)<0.01
2) Ordinal severity scales
StudyN*Time pre–postScale description; range††Pre measure(mean(SD) if applicable)Post measure(mean(SD) if applicable)P value
Hatzelis et al, 201237112 monthsSeverity of symptoms; 1–551NR
Mathers-Schmidt and Brilla, 200522116 weeksDyspnoea rating scale; 1–32.41.3NR
Nacci et al, 2011 ‡391024 months (received three intervention cycles)Severity of symptoms; 1–109.26.2p<0.01
1024 months (received eight intervention cycles)9.32.5p<0.01
Warnes et al, 2005441NRSeverity adaptive functioning; 1–650NR
3) Symptom quantification
StudyN*Time pre–postDescriptionPre measure(mean(SD) if applicable)Post measure(mean(SD) if applicable)P value
Mathers-Schmidt and Brilla, 200518116 weeksTime to symptom onset23 s30 sNR
Pargeter & Mansur, 201641249NRFrequency of patient reported daily attacks72%10%NR
4) Symptom questionnaire
StudyN*Time pre–postDescriptionPre measure (mean(SD) if applicable)Post measure (mean(SD) if applicable)P value
Pargeter & Mansur,41 2016‡249NRIn-house ILO symptom questionnaire; high score indicating poor control16.57 (3.96)7.75 (4.82)<0.001
5) Multichoice question
StudyN*Time pre–postDescriptionPre measure (mean (SD) if applicable)Post measure (mean (SD) if applicable)P value
Shin et al, 20184346NRHave symptoms a) not improved b) improved c) worsenedNA50% improve 22% worsenNR
  • *Number of participants.

  • †Median.

  • ‡Studies reported statistically significant improvements pre–post intervention.

  • §Improved by the reported clinically meaningful response reported DI Dyspnoea Index Questionnaire; RSI Reflux Symptom Index item 7.

  • ¶Only reported in 12/16 participants.

  • **Mean difference in score 3.76, no pre–post scores reported; D12 Dysponea12.

  • ††Highest value most impairment.

  • ACQ, Asthma Control Questionnaire; ACT, Asthma Control Test; NR, Not reported; VCDQ, Vocal Cord Dysfunction Questionnaire.