Comment on "The effect of preoperative chest physiotherapy on oxygenation and lung function in cardiac surgery patients: a randomized controlled study".

Abstract

ANN SAUDI MED 2022 JULY-AUGUST WWW.ANNSAUDIMED.NET 288 We read the article titled “The effect of preoperative chest physiotherapy on oxygenation and lung function in cardiac surgery patients: a randomized controlled study” published in your journal.1 I would like to commend the authors for evaluating the effect of preoperative chest physiotherapy in 100 patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The article is plausible and complete in every aspect, however, there are a few other statistical tests and crucial reporting items missing. First, about the statistical test, it would be better to compare the mean difference between the two groups or use ANCOVA with baseline measurements as covariant.2,3 By doing so, authors will be able to provide robust evidence to use preoperative physical therapy modalities in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.4 Second, authors need to report the effect size for readers to evaluate the magnitude of the experimental effect.