- Framework of problems / Rigourous
- Inadequate analysis of heterogeneity
- Clinical heterogeneity was a common problem in Cochrane reviews of physiotherapy and occupational therapy
| Ref ID | 381 |
| First Author | C. H. van den Ende |
| Journal | JOURNAL OF CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY |
| Year Of Publishing | 2006 |
| URL | https://www.jclinepi.com/article/S0895-4356(06)00059-X/fulltext |
| Keywords |
Cochrane Multiplicity Heterogeneity Pre-specification Physiotherapy Low reporting quality |
| Problem(s) |
Inadequate analysis of heterogeneity Multiplicity of outcomes and lack of pre-specification for outcome reporting Poor execution of narrative synthesis Intervention not described / defined |
| Number of systematic reviews included | 52 |
| Summary of Findings | In 58% of included reviews, more than one intervention was evaluated. In 52% of the reviews no quantitative data synthesis was performed, and in 33% reviews neither quantitative nor qualitative synthesis was performed. The reasons for not conducting a quantitative data synthesis were clinical and/or statistical heterogeneity; insufficient data reported; too few included studies; and other methodologic reasons. In 21% of studies a qualitative data synthesis was performed, using five different methods. In many reviews outcomes such as ‘‘functional ability’’ or ‘‘pain’’ were not restricted to specific instruments, which meant that a large number of instruments were investigated. |
| Did the article find that the problem(s) led to qualitative changes in interpretation of the results? | Not Applicable |
| Are the methods of the article described in enough detail to replicate the study? | Yes |