scholarly journals Quality Evaluation of Randomized Controlled Trials of Rhodiola Species: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Xiuzhu Li ◽  
Weijie Chen ◽  
Yingqi Xu ◽  
Zuanji Liang ◽  
Hao Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Consort Statement ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
China National Knowledge Infrastructure ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Consort Statement ◽  
The Cochrane Library

Background. Rhodiola is a worldwide used medicinal plant for its various medicinal functions, and the number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of Rhodiola is increasing in recent years. This study aims to evaluate the reporting quality and risk of bias of the current RCT reports of different Rhodiola species. Methods. Six databases including Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrial.gov, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure were searched to identify RCTs that used Rhodiola as a single intervention and were published in English or Chinese from inception to December 2020. The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) 2010 statement was used as the checklist for assessment, and a scoring system was applied to the evaluation of RCTs. Score 0 represents no reporting or inadequate reporting, and score 1 represents adequate reporting. The risk of bias of the included studies was also assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Results. A total of 39 RCTs were included in this study, including 23 RCTs of Rhodiola rosea (R. rosea), 8 RCTs of Rhodiola crenulata (R. crenulata), and 8 RCTs of Rhodiola wallichiana (R. wallichiana). None of the included studies met all the CONSORT statement criteria, and the reporting quality of RCTs of the three Rhodiola species was all generally poor. Based on the risk of bias assessment, the majority of included studies were judged to have an unclear risk of bias in most domains due to inadequate reporting. Conclusions. There is inadequate reporting among the included RCTs of different Rhodiola species, and RCTs of Rhodiola with higher reporting quality and better methodological quality are needed.

scholarly journals Evaluation of reporting quality of randomized controlled trials in patients with COVID-19 using the CONSORT statement

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0257093
Author(s):  
Yuhuan Yin ◽  
Fugui Shi ◽  
Yiyin Zhang ◽  
Xiaoli Zhang ◽  
Jianying Ye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Consort Statement ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Multivariate Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Adherence Score ◽  
The Consort Statement

Objective To evaluate the reporting quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding patients with COVID-19 and analyse the influence factors. Methods PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library databases were searched to collect RCTs regarding patients with COVID-19. The retrieval time was from the inception to December 1, 2020. The CONSORT 2010 statement was used to evaluate the overall reporting quality of these RCTs. Results 53 RCTs were included. The study showed that the average reporting rate for 37 items in CONSORT checklist was 53.85% with mean overall adherence score of 13.02±3.546 (ranged: 7 to 22). The multivariate linear regression analysis showed the overall adherence score to the CONSORT guideline was associated with journal impact factor (P = 0.006), and endorsement of CONSORT statement (P = 0.014). Conclusion Although many RCTs of COVID-19 have been published in different journals, the overall reporting quality of these articles was suboptimal, it can not provide valid evidence for clinical decision-making and systematic reviews. Therefore, more journals should endorse the CONSORT statement, authors should strictly follow the relevant provisions of the CONSORT guideline when reporting articles. Future RCTs should particularly focus on improvement of detailed reporting in allocation concealment, blinding and estimation of sample size.

scholarly journals Perspectives of People Who Are Overweight and Obese on Using Wearable Technology for Weight Management: Systematic Review

10.2196/12651 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e12651 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruiqi Hu ◽  
Michelle Helena van Velthoven ◽  
Edward Meinert
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Weight Management ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Wearable Technology ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Qualitative Studies ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Cochrane Library

Background Obesity is a large contributor to preventable chronic diseases and health care costs. The efficacy of wearable devices for weight management has been researched; however, there is limited knowledge on how these devices are perceived by users. Objective This study aimed to review user perspectives on wearable technology for weight management in people who are overweight and obese. Methods We searched the online databases Pubmed, Scopus, Embase, and the Cochrane library for literature published from 2008 onward. We included all types of studies using a wearable device for delivering weight-loss interventions in adults who are overweight or obese, and qualitative data were collected about participants' perspectives on the device. We performed a quality assessment using criteria relevant to different study types. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used for randomized controlled trials. The Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies - of Interventions (ROBINS-I) was used for nonrandomized studies. The Oxman and Guyatt Criteria were used for systematic reviews. We used the critical appraisal checklist for qualitative studies. Data were extracted into a data extraction sheet and thematically analyzed. Results We included 19 studies: 5 randomized controlled trials, 6 nonrandomized studies, 5 qualitative studies, and 3 reviews. Mixed perceptions existed for different constructs of wearable technologies, which reflects the differences in the suitability of wearable technology interventions for different individuals in different contexts. This also indicates that interventions were not often tailored to participants' motivations. In addition, very few wearable technology interventions included a thorough qualitative analysis of the participants' view on important features of the intervention that made it successful. Conclusions This study highlights the importance of determining the type of intervention most suitable for an individual before the intervention is used. Our findings could help participants find a suitable intervention that is most effective for them. Further research needs to develop a user-centered tool for obtaining comprehensive user feedback. Trial Registration PROSPERO CRD42018096932; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=96932

Effectiveness of Acupuncture for Poststroke Aphasia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Yu Zhang ◽  
Zhijie Wang ◽  
Xudong Jiang ◽  
Zimeng Lv ◽  
Lin Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Reading Ability ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
China National Knowledge Infrastructure ◽  
Randomized Controlled

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Aphasia is one of the common complications of stroke, and it considerably influences the quality of life of patients. Acupuncture, a therapy used in traditional Chinese medicine for aphasia after stroke, has potential therapeutic effects. We aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of acupuncture on individuals with poststroke aphasia. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on acupuncture for poststroke aphasia (either alone or combined with other therapies) were included and compared. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis by searching databases, such as MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP, and Wanfang, from inception to July 15, 2019. No language restrictions were applied in this study. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Fourteen trials involving 936 participants had poor reporting and methodological quality. Our meta-analysis showed that compared to the speech and language therapy (SLT) group, acupuncture combined with SLT could improve the rate of Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination (BDAE) (OR: 0.15, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.04–0.25, <i>p</i> = 0.005), scores of Aphasia Battery of Chinese (ABC) which includes repeating ability (SMD: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.24–1.69,<i> p</i> &#x3c; 0.00001), reading ability (SMD: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.25–1.90, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.00001), writing ability (SMD: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.19–1.86, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.00001), naming ability (SMD: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.04–1.76, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.00001), and listening comprehension ability (SMD: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.22–0.92, <i>p</i> = 0.001). All RCTs were considered at high risk of biased assessment. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Acupuncture (either alone or combined with SLT) may be effective for poststroke aphasia. In the future, rigorous clinical trials with an accurate method design and high reporting quality are required to validate our results.

scholarly journals Effect of Crocus sativus (Saffron) Intake on Top of Standard Treatment, on Disease Outcomes and Comorbidities in Patients with Rheumatic Diseases: Synthesis without Meta-Analysis (SWiM) and Level of Adherence to the CONSORT Statement for Randomized Controlled Trials Delivering Herbal Medicine Interventions

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 4274
Author(s):  
Sotirios G. Tsiogkas ◽  
Maria G. Grammatikopoulou ◽  
Konstantinos Gkiouras ◽  
Efterpi Zafiriou ◽  
Iordanis Papadopoulos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Herbal Medicine ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Consort Statement ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Crocus Sativus ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Disease Outcomes ◽  
The Consort Statement

Rheumatic diseases (RDs) are often complicated by chronic symptoms and frequent side-effects associated with their treatment. Saffron, a spice derived from the Crocus sativus L. flower, is a popular complementary and alternative medicine among patients with RDs. The present systematic review aimed to summarize the available evidence regarding the efficacy of supplementation with saffron on disease outcomes and comorbidities in patients with RD diagnoses. PubMed, CENTRAL, clinicaltrials.gov and the grey literature were searched until October 2021, and relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were screened for eligibility using Rayyan. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane’s Risk of Bias-2.0 (RoB) tool. A synthesis without meta-analysis (SWiM) was performed by vote counting and an effect direction plot was created. Out of 125 reports, seven fulfilled the eligibility criteria belonging to five RCTs and were included in the SWiM. The RCTs involved patients with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia, and evaluated outcomes related to pain, disease activity, depression, immune response, inflammation, oxidative stress, health, fatigue and functional ability. The majority of trials demonstrated some concerns regarding overall bias. Moreover, the majority of trialists failed to adhere to the formula elaborations suggested by the CONSORT statement for RCTs incorporating herbal medicine interventions. Standardization of herbal medicine confirms its identity, purity and quality; however, the majority of trials failed to adhere to these guidelines. Due to the great heterogeneity and the lack of important information regarding the standardization and content of herbal interventions, it appears that the evidence is not enough to secure a direction of effect for any of the examined outcomes.

scholarly journals Reporting quality and adherence of randomized controlled trials about statins and/or fibrates for diabetic retinopathy to the CONSORT checklist

Trials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vânia Mozetic ◽  
Letícia Leonel ◽  
Rafael Leite Pacheco ◽  
Carolina de Oliveira Cruz Latorraca ◽  
Taís Guimarães ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetic Retinopathy ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Consort Statement ◽  
Allocation Concealment ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Consort Statement ◽  
The One ◽  
Based Medicine

Abstract Background A considerable amount of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been published on statins and/or fibrates for diabetic retinopathy, a clinical condition associated with high social and economic burden. Adherence to the CONSORT statement items is imperative to ensure transparency and reproducibility in clinical research. The aim of this study is to assess the reporting quality and the adherence to CONSORT of RCTs assessing statins and/or fibrates for diabetic retinopathy. Methods We conducted a critical appraisal study at Discipline of Evidence-based Medicine, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp). A sensitive literature search was performed to identify all relevant RCTs, with no time or language limits. Two authors independently evaluated the reporting quality of the selected RCTs using the CONSORT statement as a standard. Results Thirteen reports of RCTs were included in this study. The adherence of the reports to CONSORT items ranged from 24% to 68%. The median score was 11 (interquartile range (IQR) 8 to 13). When analyzed separately, the methods sections of the reports had a median of three items (IQR 2 to 4) judged adherent to the methods items of CONSORT (items 3 to 12). The most underreported items were those related to trial design, title and abstract, allocation concealment, implementation of the randomization sequence, and blinding. Other important items, such as the one related to the description of the inclusion criteria, also had low adherence. Conclusions The overall adherence to the CONSORT checklist items was poor, especially in the items related to the methods section. RCT reports on statins and/or fibrates for diabetic retinopathy must be optimized to avoid reporting biases and to improve transparency and reproducibility.

scholarly journals Perspectives of People Who Are Overweight and Obese on Using Wearable Technology for Weight Management: Systematic Review (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruiqi Hu ◽  
Michelle Helena van Velthoven ◽  
Edward Meinert
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Weight Management ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Wearable Technology ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Qualitative Studies ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Cochrane Library

BACKGROUND Obesity is a large contributor to preventable chronic diseases and health care costs. The efficacy of wearable devices for weight management has been researched; however, there is limited knowledge on how these devices are perceived by users. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to review user perspectives on wearable technology for weight management in people who are overweight and obese. METHODS We searched the online databases Pubmed, Scopus, Embase, and the Cochrane library for literature published from 2008 onward. We included all types of studies using a wearable device for delivering weight-loss interventions in adults who are overweight or obese, and qualitative data were collected about participants' perspectives on the device. We performed a quality assessment using criteria relevant to different study types. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was used for randomized controlled trials. The Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies - of Interventions (ROBINS-I) was used for nonrandomized studies. The Oxman and Guyatt Criteria were used for systematic reviews. We used the critical appraisal checklist for qualitative studies. Data were extracted into a data extraction sheet and thematically analyzed. RESULTS We included 19 studies: 5 randomized controlled trials, 6 nonrandomized studies, 5 qualitative studies, and 3 reviews. Mixed perceptions existed for different constructs of wearable technologies, which reflects the differences in the suitability of wearable technology interventions for different individuals in different contexts. This also indicates that interventions were not often tailored to participants' motivations. In addition, very few wearable technology interventions included a thorough qualitative analysis of the participants' view on important features of the intervention that made it successful. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the importance of determining the type of intervention most suitable for an individual before the intervention is used. Our findings could help participants find a suitable intervention that is most effective for them. Further research needs to develop a user-centered tool for obtaining comprehensive user feedback. CLINICALTRIAL PROSPERO CRD42018096932; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=96932

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