- Framework of problems / Comprehensive
- Errors or omissions in search strategy
- Striking Errors in the Methodology, Execution, and Conclusions of the Cochrane Library Review of Spinal Cord Stimulation for Low Back Pain by Traeger et al
| Ref ID | 865 |
| First Author | S. Durbhakula |
| Journal | PAIN MEDICINE |
| Year Of Publishing | 2023 |
| URL | https://academic.oup.com/painmedicine/article/24/8/923/7126436 |
| Keywords |
Cochrane Missing data Pain Expertise Error Equity Heterogeneity Team Searching |
| Problem(s) |
Inadequate analysis of heterogeneity Errors or omissions in search strategy Overly stringent inclusion criteria affecting external validity Lack of clinical expert/ stakeholder/ user perspective Incorrect interpretation or statistical inference error from meta-analysis Financial conflicts of interest of review authors Weaknesses identified in some Cochrane reviews |
| Number of systematic reviews included | 1 |
| Summary of Findings | From a letter highlighting methodological concerns in a Cochrane review on spinal cord stimulation for low back pain published in 2023. The letter raised concerns including the design of the search strategies which were did not ensure a comprehensive selection of studies; the interpretation and synthesis of studies based on their inclusion/exclusion criteria; a lack of diversification of authorship to include contributions from individuals with clinical and content expertise in neuromodulation for CLBP; incorrect inferences drawn from meta-analyses; and potential unmanaged conflicts of interests of review authors. |
| 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? |