Highlights
- •This study identified 8 characteristics of trials that can predict article quality.
- •The quality of the trials in musculoskeletal physical therapy is suboptimal.
- •The use of the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statement can help authors to better describe their trials.
Abstract
Objectives
To investigate the methodologic quality and statistical reporting of reports of trials
indexed on the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) classified in the musculoskeletal
subdiscipline, and to analyze the characteristics of the trials that can predict trial
report quality.
Design
Cross-sectional study based on a collection of randomized controlled trials. We randomly
selected 19% of trials coded as musculoskeletal from PEDro. Methodologic quality was
assessed using the PEDro scale. We assessed aspects of the trial using 9 items from
the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement. We performed multivariate
linear regression analysis models to predict the total PEDro score.
Setting
Not applicable.
Participants
Not applicable.
Interventions
Not applicable.
Main Outcome Measures
Not applicable.
Results
A total of 1404 articles were included in the analysis. The mean total PEDro scale
score was 5.27±1.63 points, which reflects low methodologic quality. There was a slight
improvement in the quality of articles over time. The characteristics that predicted
the total PEDro scale score were endorsement of the CONSORT statement, sample size
calculation, lower number of primary outcomes, evaluation of electrotherapy as intervention,
if the trial reported the research design in the title, reporting of participant flow
diagram, years since publication (most recent trials), and trials published in English.
Conclusions
The quality of the trials in musculoskeletal physical therapy is suboptimal. The use
of reporting checklists (eg, CONSORT statement) should be mandatory in all journals.
Journal reviewers and journal editors should also use the CONSORT statement during
the review process.
Keywords
List of abbreviations:
CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials), PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database)To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 26, 2017
Footnotes
Supported by the São Paulo Research Foundation for a master's scholarship (award no. 2013/05575-1).
Disclosures: none.
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine
