Background: Exercise intolerance, muscle weakness, dyspnoea and fatigue are frequent problems in symptomatic sarcoidosis patients. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) improves exercise capacity, symptoms, and quality of life in patients with chronic respiratory diseases.

Objective: To systematically determine the effects of PR in patients with sarcoidosis.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted in seven databases. Studies that applied pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with sarcoidosis were reviewed. Two independent reviewers analysed the studies, extracted the data and assessed the quality of evidence.

Results: Of the 406 reports returned by the initial search, five articles reporting on 184 patients were included in the data synthesis. Two studies included multi-component exercise, one inspiratory muscle training, one a physical activity promotion programme, and one a telerehabilitation programme. In the intervention group (IG), we found significant improvement in exercise capacity (SMD 1.65, 95% CI 0.45, 2.86 points, p=0.007). If we only analyse the studies that performed the six-minute walking test, the IG walked 40.3 (CI95% 20.3, 60.2) m higher than the control group (CG) (p<0.001) Additionally, the dyspnoea was reduced (MD -0.42 95% CI -0.75 to -0.10, p=0.002). However, fatigue, quality of life and pulmonary function did not show any change.

Conclusion: Pulmonary rehabilitation improves exercise capacity and dyspnoea perception in patients with sarcoidosis