Cochrane reviews used more rigorous methods than non-Cochrane reviews: survey of systematic reviews in physiotherapy

Ref ID 616
First Author A. M. Moseley
Journal JOURNAL OF CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
Year Of Publishing 2009
URL https://www.jclinepi.com/article/S0895-4356(08)00332-6/fulltext
Keywords • Cochrane
• General medical
• Non-Cochrane reviews
Problem(s) • Cochrane reviews more rigorous/higher quality than non-Cochrane reviews
Article Type Empirical
Article Subtype Cross-sectional survey/Methodological systematic review
First Author Country Australia
Checklists • OQAQ
Aim To assess the quality and methods of systematic reviews of physiotherapy interventions in 63 Cochrane and 137 non- Cochrane reviews published between 1997-2006
Level of Investigation Descriptive
Summary of Findings Cochrane reviews searched more databases and were more likely to have assessed trial quality, reported dichotomous outcomes for individual trials and pooled data in a meta-analysis. Non-Cochrane reviews were more likely to conclude that there was a beneficial effect of treatment. Cochrane reviews were of higher quality than non-Cochrane reviews.
Number of systematic reviews included 200
Number of eligible systematic reviews assessed 590
Treatment impacted No
Treatment impacted description
Interpretation impacted Not Applicable
Interpretation impacted description