Can Cochrane Reviews in controversial areas be biased? A sensitivity analysis based on the protocol of a Systematic Cochrane Review on low-level laser therapy in osteoarthritis

Ref ID 250
First Author J. M. Bjordal
Journal PHOTOMEDICINE AND LASER THERAPY
Year Of Publishing 2005
URL https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16262573/
Keywords Cochrane
Missing data
Error
Allegiance
Subgroup
Rheumatology
Problem(s) Failure to address missing outcome data in analyses
Unplanned or unjustified subgroup or sensitivity analyses
Weaknesses identified in some Cochrane reviews
Errors in effect estimate calculations or data synthesis
Errors in study inclusion or omission of relevant studies
Non-financial conflicts of interest of review authors
Number of systematic reviews included 1
Summary of Findings Replication of the literature searches for the Cochrane review of low level laser therapy for osteoarthritis classes 1,2 and 3 identified two trials that met the original stated objective without being included in the Cochrane review. An imbalance of the review group was identified as reviewers tend to favour their own trial conclusions. Other problems included: Inclusion of invalid (categorical) data in statistical analysis of continuous data; Omission of continuous data in statistical analysis of included trials; Omission of categorical data in statistical analysis of included trials; Omission of data from non-included trials; Lack of transparency in which trial data is entered into main results and; Non-performance of pre-planned subgroup analysis.
Did the article find that the problem(s) led to qualitative changes in interpretation of the results? Yes
Are the methods of the article described in enough detail to replicate the study? No