TY - JOUR
T1 - The structure of research questions in randomized controlled trials in the rehabilitation field
T2 - A methodological study
AU - Arienti, Chiara
AU - Lazzarini, Stefano G.
AU - Patrini, Michele
AU - Puljak, Livia
AU - Pollock, Alex
AU - Negrini, Stefano
N1 - No formal acceptance email. Used confirmation of publication date instead (in SAN). ST 01/12/20
AAM: 12m embargo confirmed via webpage: https://cdn-tp2.mozu.com/16833-m1/cms/files/Author-Document.pdf?_mzts=636519775710000000
ST 04/12/20
PY - 2021/1
Y1 - 2021/1
N2 - Objective The aim of this study is to assess whether and how the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparator, and Outcomes) format is described to frame research questions in randomized controlled trials looking at effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions. Design A methodological study was conducted. Randomized controlled trials in the rehabilitation field, published between July 1, 2019, and December 31, 2019, were included. The framing of the primary research question from each trial was evaluated. Results A total of 97 randomized controlled trials were included in the analysis. The most frequent framing of the primary research question was as an "objective"statement (55%), and in 33% of the articles, this was stated as an "objective"together with a "hypothesis"description. All PICO elements were present in 55% of research questions, but only 49% have used the statement suggested by Cochrane. Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that a specific item about the "research question"and the rationale that drove the proposed design following the form suggested by Cochrane should be included in the RCT Rehabilitation Checklist.
AB - Objective The aim of this study is to assess whether and how the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparator, and Outcomes) format is described to frame research questions in randomized controlled trials looking at effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions. Design A methodological study was conducted. Randomized controlled trials in the rehabilitation field, published between July 1, 2019, and December 31, 2019, were included. The framing of the primary research question from each trial was evaluated. Results A total of 97 randomized controlled trials were included in the analysis. The most frequent framing of the primary research question was as an "objective"statement (55%), and in 33% of the articles, this was stated as an "objective"together with a "hypothesis"description. All PICO elements were present in 55% of research questions, but only 49% have used the statement suggested by Cochrane. Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that a specific item about the "research question"and the rationale that drove the proposed design following the form suggested by Cochrane should be included in the RCT Rehabilitation Checklist.
KW - rehabilitation
KW - framing research question
KW - PICO format
U2 - 10.1097/PHM.0000000000001612
DO - 10.1097/PHM.0000000000001612
M3 - Article
SN - 0894-9115
VL - 100
SP - 29
EP - 33
JO - American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
JF - American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
IS - 1
ER -