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Oh Y, Jung YJ, Sujata P, Kim M, Yon DK, Lee SW, Cho K, Koyanagi A, Dai Z, Smith L, Shin JI, Kim E. Spin in randomized controlled trials of pharmacology in COVID-19: A systematic review. Account Res 2023:1-19. [PMID: 37818630 DOI: 10.1080/08989621.2023.2269083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
Spin, defined as the misrepresentation of the results of a study, could negate the validity of scientific findings. To explore the manifestation of spin, and identify the factors affecting spin in COVID-19 RCTs, a systematic review was performed from PubMed/Medline, National Institutes of Health, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Web of Science. RCTs on pharmacotherapy for COVID-19 with nonsignificant primary outcomes published in 2020 were included. 21 abstracts (33.9%) and 28 main texts (45.2%) were found to contain spin in at least one section. In the conclusion section, other spin strategies beautifying their findings that were not included in the abstract were found in the main texts. More factors influencing the level of spin were found in abstracts than in the main texts, but most of the levels of spin in abstracts were comparable to those in the main texts. Although common factors that affected the manifestation of spin in the main texts and abstracts were the sample size and type of journal, further research to determine multicollinearity between significant factors and the manifestation of spin is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunkyoung Oh
- Data Science, Evidence-Based and Clinical Research Laboratory, Department of Health, Social and Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Youn-Joo Jung
- Data Science, Evidence-Based and Clinical Research Laboratory, Department of Health, Social and Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Purja Sujata
- Data Science, Evidence-Based and Clinical Research Laboratory, Department of Health, Social and Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Minji Kim
- Data Science, Evidence-Based and Clinical Research Laboratory, Department of Health, Social and Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Dong Keon Yon
- Centre for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University Medical Centre, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Won Lee
- Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Kyuyeon Cho
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ai Koyanagi
- Research and Development Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Zhaoli Dai
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, South Australia; and School of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, Sydney Australia
| | - Lee Smith
- Centre for Health, Performance, and Wellbeing, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jae Il Shin
- Department of Paediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eunyoung Kim
- Data Science, Evidence-Based and Clinical Research Laboratory, Department of Health, Social and Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, South Korea
- The Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Industry Management, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, South Korea
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Innes S, Leboeuf-Yde C. A guide to evaluating systematic reviews for the busy clinicians or reluctant readers. Chiropr Man Therap 2023; 31:38. [PMID: 37730646 PMCID: PMC10512578 DOI: 10.1186/s12998-023-00501-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Systematic reviews (SRs) provide a solution to handle information overload for busy clinicians by summarising and synthesizing studies on a specific issue. However, because SRs are complicated and often boring to read, the busy or reluctant reader may make do with the abstract. When, as it has been shown, many authors overstate efficacy or understate harm in their abstracts, not consulting the underlying article could be misleading. This means that the prudent reader must have the ability to identify the 'tender points' of SRs to avoid falling for 'spin'. To this end we briefly review the method of SRs and ways to relatively quickly determine trustworthiness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanley Innes
- Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing, Eastern Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Charlotte Leboeuf-Yde
- Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Winsløwparken 19, 5000, Odense, Denmark
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Su N, van der Linden MW, Faggion CM, van der Heijden GJ. Assessment of spin in the abstracts of randomized controlled trials in dental caries with statistically nonsignificant results for primary outcomes: A methodological study. Caries Res 2023; 57:553-562. [PMID: 37321204 PMCID: PMC10733936 DOI: 10.1159/000531569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The study aimed to assess the prevalence of spin in the titles and abstracts of RCTs in dental caries with statistically nonsignificant primary outcomes and to assess the risk indicators which may be associated with spin. Any original publication reporting a two-arm RCT in dental caries with clearly identified statistically nonsignificant primary outcomes published from January 1, 2015 until October 28, 2022 were included. PubMed was searched electronically to identify the eligible publications. The prevalence of spin in titles and abstracts were assessed and categorized into spin patterns based on a pre-determined classification scheme. The association between spin and the potential risk indicators at study, author, journal, institutional, and national level was assessed. A total of 234 eligible RCT publications were included. The prevalence of spin in the titles and abstracts was 3% (95%CI: 2% to 6%) and 79% (95%CI: 74% to 84%), respectively. The most common spin patterns in the results and conclusion sections, respectively, were results focusing on statistically significant within-group comparisons (23%), and conclusions focusing only on statistically significant results without acknowledgment of statistically nonsignificant results for the primary outcomes (26%). The spin was significantly associated with number of study centers (single-center vs. multicenter) (OR=2.131; 95%CI: 1.092 to 4.158; P=0.03), trial designs (non-parallel designs vs. parallel designs) (OR=0.395; 95%CI: 0.193 to 0.810; P=0.01), and overall H index of institutions for last authors (OR=0.998; 95%CI: 0.996 to 0.999; P<0.01), while it was not significantly associated with the other indicators. In the RCT publications with statistically nonsignificant results for primary outcomes in dental caries, the prevalence of spin may be low in the titles but high in the abstracts. Single-center studies with parallel designs and a lower overall H index of institutions for last authors may be more likely to have spin in the abstracts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naichuan Su
- Department of Oral Public Health, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michiel W. van der Linden
- Department of Oral Public Health, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Clovis M. Faggion
- Department of Periodontology and Operative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Geert J.M.G. van der Heijden
- Department of Oral Public Health, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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O'Leary R, La Rosa GRM, Vernooij R, Polosa R. Identifying spin bias of nonsignificant findings in biomedical studies. BMC Res Notes 2023; 16:50. [PMID: 37131244 PMCID: PMC10155298 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-023-06321-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this research note is to share a technique for the identification of spin bias that we developed as part of a living systematic review on the cardiovascular testing of e-cigarette substitution for cigarette smoking. While some researchers have remarked on the subjective nature of ascertaining spin bias, our technique objectively documents forms of spin bias arising from the misrepresentation of nonsignificant findings and from the omission of data. RESULTS We offer a two-step process for the identification of spin bias consisting of tracking data and findings and recording of data discrepancies by describing how the spin bias was produced in the text. In this research note, we give an example of the documentation of spin bias from our systematic review. Our experience was that nonsignificant results were presented as causal or even as significant in the Discussion of studies. Spin bias distorts scientific research and misleads readers; therefore it behooves peer reviewers and journal editors to make the effort to detect and correct it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renée O'Leary
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 89 Torre Biologica 11 piano, 95123, Catania, Italy.
| | | | - Robin Vernooij
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Riccardo Polosa
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 89 Torre Biologica 11 piano, 95123, Catania, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Robert C, Wilson CS. Thirty-year survey of bibliometrics used in the research literature of pain: Analysis, evolution, and pitfalls. FRONTIERS IN PAIN RESEARCH 2023; 4:1071453. [PMID: 36937565 PMCID: PMC10017016 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2023.1071453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
During the last decades, the emergence of Bibliometrics and the progress in Pain research have led to a proliferation of bibliometric studies on the medical and scientific literature of pain (B/P). This study charts the evolution of the B/P literature published during the last 30 years. Using various searching techniques, 189 B/P studies published from 1993 to August 2022 were collected for analysis-half were published since 2018. Most of the selected B/P publications use classic bibliometric analysis of Pain in toto, while some focus on specific types of Pain with Headache/Migraine, Low Back Pain, Chronic Pain, and Cancer Pain dominating. Each study is characterized by the origin (geographical, economical, institutional, …) and the medical/scientific context over a specified time span to provide a detailed landscape of the Pain research literature. Some B/P studies have been developed to pinpoint difficulties in appropriately identifying the Pain literature or to highlight some general publishing pitfalls. Having observed that most of the recent B/P studies have integrated newly emergent software visualization tools (SVTs), we found an increase of anomalies and suggest that readers exercise caution when interpreting results in the B/P literature details.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Concepción Shimizu Wilson
- School of Information Systems, Technology and Management, University of New South Wales, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Batista AKS, Matias FL, Mendes CKTT, Ferreira JJA, Andrade PR, de Oliveira VMA. Analysis of Spin in the Reporting of Studies on Electroanalgesia for Musculoskeletal Pain. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2022; 45:595-603. [PMID: 37318389 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2023.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to analyze the quality of reporting and presence of spin in abstracts of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) on the use of electroanalgesia for musculoskeletal pain. METHODS The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) was searched from 2010 to June 2021. Inclusion criteria were RCTs using electroanalgesia in individuals with musculoskeletal pain, written in any language, comparing 2 or more groups, and with pain as 1 of the outcomes. Two blinded, independent, and calibrated evaluators (Gwet's AC1 agreement analysis) performed eligibility and data extraction. General characteristics, report of outcomes, quality of reporting (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials for Abstracts [CONSORT-A]), and spin analysis (7-item spin checklist and spin analysis per section) were extracted from abstracts. RESULTS Of 989 studies selected, 173 abstracts were analyzed after screening and eligibility criteria. Mean risk of bias on the PEDro scale was 6.02 ± 1.6 points. Most abstracts did not report significant differences for primary (51.4%) and secondary (63%) outcomes. Mean quality of reporting was 5.10 ± 2.4 points in the CONSORT-A, and spin was 2.97 ± 1.7. Abstracts had at least 1 type of spin (93%), and the conclusion presented the greatest number of spin types. More than 50% of abstracts recommended an intervention without significant differences between groups. CONCLUSION This study found that the majority of RCT abstracts on electroanalgesia for musculoskeletal conditions in our sample had a moderate to high risk of bias, incomplete or missing information, and some type of spin. We recommend that health care providers who use electroanalgesia and the scientific community be aware of spin in published studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda K S Batista
- Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Paraiba, Joao Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil
| | - Francilene L Matias
- Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Paraiba, Joao Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil
| | - Cristina K T T Mendes
- Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Paraiba, Joao Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil
| | - José J A Ferreira
- Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Paraiba, Joao Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil
| | - Palloma R Andrade
- Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Paraiba, Joao Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil
| | - Valéria M A de Oliveira
- Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Paraiba, Joao Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil.
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Tosatto D, Bonacina D, Signori A, Pellicciari L, Cecchi F, Cornaggia CM, Piscitelli D. Spin of information and inconsistency between abstract and full text in RCTs investigating upper limb rehabilitation after stroke: An overview study. Restor Neurol Neurosci 2022; 40:195-207. [PMID: 35723125 DOI: 10.3233/rnn-211247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Researchers may be tempted to favorably distort the interpretation of their findings when reporting the abstract (i.e., spin). Spin bias overemphasizes the beneficial effects of the intervention compared with the results shown in the full text. OBJECTIVE To assess the occurrence of spin bias and incompleteness in reporting abstracts in post-stroke upper limb (UL) rehabilitation randomized clinical trials (RCTs). METHODS A sample of 120 post-stroke UL rehabilitation RCTs (indexed in PEDro database), published in English between 2012 and 2020, was included. The completeness of reporting and spin were assessed using the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials for Abstracts (CONSORT-A) and the spin checklist. The relationship between CONSORT-A and spin checklist scores with RCT and journal characteristics was assessed. RESULTS CONSORT-A and spin checklist scored 5.3±2.4 (max 15-points, higher scores indicating better reporting) and 5.5±2.0 (max 7-points, higher scores indicating presence of spin), respectively; Significant differences were detected between abstract and full-text scores in the CONSORT-A checklist (p < 0.01) and the spin checklist (p < 0.01). Items of the CONSORT-A checklist in the abstracts and full text showed a fair agreement (k = 0.31), while a moderate agreement (k = 0.59) for the spin checklist was detected. Completeness of abstract was associated (R2 = 0.46) with journal Impact Factor (p < 0.01), CONSORT Guideline endorsement (p = 0.04), and abstract word number (p = 0.02). A lower spin was associated with a higher journal Impact Factor (p = 0.01) and CONSORT Guideline endorsement (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Post-stroke UL rehabilitation RCTs abstracts were largely incomplete showing spin. Authors, reviewers, publishers, and stakeholders should be aware of this phenomenon. Publishers should consider allowing more words in abstracts to improve the completeness of reporting abstracts. Although we have investigated only stroke rehabilitation, our results suggest that health care professionals of all disciplines should avoid clinical decision-making based solely upon abstracts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Tosatto
- Istituti Clinici Zucchi - Gruppo San Donato, Carate Brianza (MB), Italy
| | - Daniele Bonacina
- Istituti Clinici Zucchi - Gruppo San Donato, Carate Brianza (MB), Italy
| | - Alessio Signori
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Cecchi
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Florence, Italy.,Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Daniele Piscitelli
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, Milano, Italy.,School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
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Athanasiadis D, Dionyssiotis Y, Krumov J, Obretenov V, Panayotov K, Papathanasiou J. The cognitive-behavioral aspects of the Mulligan concept of manual therapy: A systematic review. Eur J Transl Myol 2022; 32. [PMID: 35588313 PMCID: PMC9295178 DOI: 10.4081/ejtm.2022.10504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Low back pain (LBP) is a common clinical problem imposing a prominent socio-economic burden. The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the biopsychosocial effects of the Mulligan Concept (MC) of manual therapy (MT) when applied to patient's with LBP. Three researchers independently evaluated the literature quality, and completed a review on five online databases (Medline, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, ProQuest and Google Scholar) for articles published from January 1st 2010 to November 20th 2021, using a combination of free words, Wildcards and Medical Subject Headings (MESH) terms: " Mulligan mobilization " AND " back pain " OR " SNAGs." In total, 62 studies were selected for full-text reading, from which finally 6 studies were included in the present review. The results revealed that the studies where the MC of MT was applied to treat LBP mainly lacked concern regarding the effect that the intervention has on the cognitive and behavioural parameters. The ones that introduced measure outcomes for at least some parts of the cognitive behavioural components, showed that the MC has a positive effect, even though without a long-term follow-up assessment. This review summarized that the evidence of the MC on cognitive behavioural (CB) aspects of patients with LBP is controversial and scarce.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Julian Krumov
- Clinic of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Military Medical Academy Varna.
| | - Vasil Obretenov
- Clinic of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Military Medical Academy Varna.
| | | | - Jannis Papathanasiou
- Department of Medical Imaging, Allergology and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Medical University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria; Department of Kinesitherapy, Faculty of Public Health "Prof. Dr. Tzecomir Vodenicharov, DSci.", Medical University of Sofia.
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9
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Khanpara H, Prakash V. Effect of spin in the abstract of a randomised controlled trial on physiotherapists' perception of treatment benefit: a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Evid Based Med 2022; 27:97-103. [PMID: 34261764 DOI: 10.1136/bmjebm-2021-111714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of spin in the abstract of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) on physiotherapists' perception of treatment benefit evaluated in the trial. DESIGN Parallel-group RCT. SETTING Physiotherapy departments in hospitals and clinics in India. PARTICIPANTS Physiotherapists working in clinical settings. INTERVENTIONS We selected one abstract with high level of spin published in one of the core journals of physiotherapy and created two versions of the abstract, that is, with and without spin. We randomly assigned physiotherapists working in clinical settings (N=128) to read one version of the selected abstract, with or without spin. Participants were blinded to the study design, objectives and randomisation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Physiotherapists' interpretation of beneficial effect of the experimental treatment (0-10 scale) reported in the abstract. The secondary outcomes were clinicians' perception of methodological rigour and the study importance, their interest in reading the full text, and their interest in running another trial evaluating this treatment. RESULTS We found a medium reduction in confidence of beneficial effect of the experimental treatment among physiotherapists who read the abstract without spin (mean score 4.3±2.8) compared with those who read the abstract with spin (mean score 6.14±2.6). The mean difference in scores between abstracts with and without spin was 1.8 (95% CI 0.8 to 2.8; p<0.001). For other outcomes measures studied there was no statistically significant effect. CONCLUSIONS Removal of spin in the abstract of RCT reporting statistically non-significant results have medium effect in improving physiotherapists' accuracy of interpretation of study results. Spin contributes to clinicians' positive perception about the benefit of experimental intervention tested in the trial despite the evidence showing no superiority of experimental intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER CTRI/2020/02/023557.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heppy Khanpara
- Ashok & Rita Patel Institute of Physiotherapy, Charotar University of Science and Technology, Anand, Gujarat, India
| | - V Prakash
- Ashok & Rita Patel Institute of Physiotherapy, Charotar University of Science and Technology, Anand, Gujarat, India
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Ferrell MC, Schell J, Ottwell R, Arthur W, Bickford T, Gardner G, Goodrich W, Platts-Mills TF, Hartwell M, Sealey M, Zhu L, Vassar M. Evaluation of spin in the abstracts of emergency medicine systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Eur J Emerg Med 2021; 29:118-125. [PMID: 34456295 DOI: 10.1097/mej.0000000000000864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The objective of this study was to assess for spin - a form of reporting that overemphasizes benefits or downplay harms - within abstracts of systematic reviews and meta-analyses related to the clinical practice of emergency medicine (EM). METHODS PubMed was searched for systematic reviews and meta-analyses published since 2015 in either EM or general medical journals that examined an aspect of emergency medical care. In a duplicate, masked fashion, article titles and abstracts were screened to determine eligibility based on predetermined inclusion criteria. The included full-text studies were read and evaluated for spin using a previously determined search strategy. Two authors further evaluated study quality using the AMSTAR-2 tool. RESULTS Our PubMed search identified 478 systematic reviews and meta-analyses, of which a random sample of 200 was selected for data extraction. Spin within the abstract of the manuscript was identified in 34.5% (69/200) of the included reviews. We identified seven of the nine spin types, with two types being most common: (1) conclusion claiming a benefit despite high risk of bias among studies reviewed (19.5% of abstracts), and (2) conclusion claiming a benefit despite reporting bias (14.5%). No significant associations were found between the presence of spin and any of the evaluated study characteristics, the AMSTAR-2 appraisal, or the journal of publication. CONCLUSION Spin is commonly present in abstracts of EM systematic reviews. The reporting quality for EM systematic reviews requires improvement. Measures should be taken to improve the overall review process and way information is conveyed through abstracts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C Ferrell
- Office of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences
| | - Jace Schell
- Office of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences
| | - Ryan Ottwell
- Office of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences
| | - Wade Arthur
- Office of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences
| | - Trevor Bickford
- Office of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences
| | - Gavin Gardner
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Oklahoma State University Medical Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma
| | - Will Goodrich
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Oklahoma State University Medical Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma
| | - Timothy F Platts-Mills
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Micah Hartwell
- Office of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa
| | - Meghan Sealey
- Department of Statistics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Lan Zhu
- Department of Statistics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Matt Vassar
- Office of Medical Student Research, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa
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11
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Nascimento DP, Almeida MO, Scola LFC, Vanin AA, Oliveira LA, Costa LCM, Costa LOP. Evidence of spin in systematic reviews of interventions from the top 5 general medical journals: Overview of reviews. J Clin Epidemiol 2021; 139:232-234. [PMID: 34214625 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2021.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Dafne P Nascimento
- Masters and Doctoral Programs in Physical Therapy, Universidade Cidade de São Paulo, São Paulo/SP, Brazil.
| | - M O Almeida
- Masters and Doctoral Programs in Physical Therapy, Universidade Cidade de São Paulo, São Paulo/SP, Brazil
| | - L F C Scola
- Masters and Doctoral Programs in Physical Therapy, Universidade Cidade de São Paulo, São Paulo/SP, Brazil; Research and Study Center, Wilson Mello Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - A A Vanin
- Masters and Doctoral Programs in Physical Therapy, Universidade Cidade de São Paulo, São Paulo/SP, Brazil
| | - L A Oliveira
- Masters and Doctoral Programs in Physical Therapy, Universidade Cidade de São Paulo, São Paulo/SP, Brazil
| | - L C M Costa
- Masters and Doctoral Programs in Physical Therapy, Universidade Cidade de São Paulo, São Paulo/SP, Brazil
| | - L O P Costa
- Masters and Doctoral Programs in Physical Therapy, Universidade Cidade de São Paulo, São Paulo/SP, Brazil
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12
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Nascimento DP, Ostelo RWJG, van Tulder MW, Gonzalez GZ, Araujo AC, Vanin AA, Costa LOP. Do not make clinical decisions based on abstracts of healthcare research: A systematic review. J Clin Epidemiol 2021; 135:136-157. [PMID: 33839242 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2021.03.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To summarize the reporting quality of healthcare abstracts and inconsistencies between abstracts and full texts. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING This systematic review included overviews of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews (SRs) that summarized data of healthcare abstracts on reporting of abstracts and consistency of abstracts with the full text. Searches were performed in PubMed, CENTRAL, Cochrane Library and EMBASE databases from 1900 to February 2019. Two authors screened the overviews and extracted the data. All analyses were descriptive and divided into two main groups: abstracts' reporting quality and abstracts' consistency with the full text. Abstracts were considered poorly reported and inconsistent with the full text if more than 5% of abstracts' information was not fully reported or not consistent with the full text. RESULTS 27 overviews analyzing 5,194 RCTs and 866 SRs were retrieved for reporting quality of abstracts. A total of 22 overviews analyzing 2,025 RCTs and 551 SRs were included for consistency of abstracts with the full text. Abstracts across all healthcare areas presented poor reporting quality and were inconsistent with the full texts, with results and conclusions as the most inconsistent sections. CONCLUSION Abstracts of healthcare RCTs and SRs have shown a large room for improvement in reporting quality and consistency with the full text. Authors, journal editors and reviewers need to give the highest priority to this matter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dafne P Nascimento
- Masters and Doctoral Programs in Physical Therapy, Universidade Cidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Raymond W J G Ostelo
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc and the Amsterdam Movement Sciences Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maurits W van Tulder
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Gabrielle Z Gonzalez
- Masters and Doctoral Programs in Physical Therapy, Universidade Cidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Amanda C Araujo
- Masters and Doctoral Programs in Physical Therapy, Universidade Cidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Adriane A Vanin
- Masters and Doctoral Programs in Physical Therapy, Universidade Cidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Leonardo O P Costa
- Masters and Doctoral Programs in Physical Therapy, Universidade Cidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Bruel S, Dutzer D, Pierre M, Botelho-Nevers E, Pozzetto B, Gagneux-Brunon A, Chauvin F, Frappé P. Vaccination for Human Papillomavirus: an historic and bibliometric study. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2021; 17:934-942. [PMID: 32955407 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2020.1805991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
A systematic literature review was conducted to describe in a historical perspective the evolution of studies concerning HPV vaccination. The search identified 794 articles of which 568 were included. The first article was published in 2001, and the maximum annual number of publications was reached in 2014. The average number of authors per paper was 8.8. Papers originated from 49 different countries, with the USA accounted for the maximum number of publications (n = 217). Efficacy (46.5%) and safety (31.0%) were the most prevalent objectives. Clinical trials constituted the largest group of methods (37.9%). Chronological trends did not reveal any lasting curve-crossings, indicating that the priority topics have remained the same. The geographical origin of these studies raises questions about the transposability of the results to populations where HPV vaccination has been studied only a little. This study could help guide future research to less-studied research objectives, particularly for vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Bruel
- Department of General Practice, Jacques Lisfranc Faculty of Medicine, Saint-Etienne-Lyon University, Saint-Etienne, France.,HESPER EA7425, Saint-Etienne-Lyon University, Saint-Etienne, France.,PRESAGE Academic Institute, Saint-Etienne-Lyon University, Saint-Etienne, France.,CIC-INSERM 1408, University Hospital of Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Dominique Dutzer
- Department of General Practice, Jacques Lisfranc Faculty of Medicine, Saint-Etienne-Lyon University, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Marion Pierre
- Department of General Practice, Jacques Lisfranc Faculty of Medicine, Saint-Etienne-Lyon University, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Elisabeth Botelho-Nevers
- PRESAGE Academic Institute, Saint-Etienne-Lyon University, Saint-Etienne, France.,CIC-INSERM 1408, University Hospital of Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France.,EA 3064 Groupe Immunité Des Muqueuses Et Agents Pathogènes, Saint-Etienne-Lyon University, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Bruno Pozzetto
- Laboratory of Infectious Agents and Hygiene, University Hospital of Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Amandine Gagneux-Brunon
- PRESAGE Academic Institute, Saint-Etienne-Lyon University, Saint-Etienne, France.,CIC-INSERM 1408, University Hospital of Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France.,EA 3064 Groupe Immunité Des Muqueuses Et Agents Pathogènes, Saint-Etienne-Lyon University, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Franck Chauvin
- HESPER EA7425, Saint-Etienne-Lyon University, Saint-Etienne, France.,PRESAGE Academic Institute, Saint-Etienne-Lyon University, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Paul Frappé
- Department of General Practice, Jacques Lisfranc Faculty of Medicine, Saint-Etienne-Lyon University, Saint-Etienne, France.,PRESAGE Academic Institute, Saint-Etienne-Lyon University, Saint-Etienne, France.,CIC-INSERM 1408, University Hospital of Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France
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Araujo AC, Gonzalez GZ, Nascimento DP, Costa LOP. Deep Impact: 4 Tips for Authors and Journal Editors to Improve Altmetric Scores. Phys Ther 2020; 100:2060-2062. [PMID: 32778866 DOI: 10.1093/ptj/pzaa145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Costa Araujo
- Masters and Doctoral Programs in Physical Therapy, Universidade Cidade de São Paulo, Rua Melo Peixoto, 1407 - Tatuapé, São Paulo, Brazil, SP, 03070-000
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Stubbs PW, Mehta P, Bryant L, Pinto RZ, Verhagen AP, McCambridge AB. Abstract spin in physiotherapy interventions using virtual reality or robotics: protocol for two Meta-research reviews. PHYSICAL THERAPY REVIEWS 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/10833196.2020.1832708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Peter W. Stubbs
- Graduate School of Health, Discipline of Physiotherapy, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Poonam Mehta
- Graduate School of Health, Discipline of Physiotherapy, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Lucy Bryant
- Graduate School of Health, Discipline of Speech Pathology, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Rafael Z. Pinto
- Department of Physical Therapy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Arianne P. Verhagen
- Graduate School of Health, Discipline of Physiotherapy, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Alana B. McCambridge
- Graduate School of Health, Discipline of Physiotherapy, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Evidence for Citation Networks in Studies of Free-Roaming Cats: A Case Study Using Literature on Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10060993. [PMID: 32517234 PMCID: PMC7341228 DOI: 10.3390/ani10060993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary All aspects of an argument need to be evaluated in evidence-based scientific pursuit to prevent the development of self-reinforcing cohorts of studies through the cross-referencing of selected subsets of studies (citation bias). Controling populations of unowned cats using Trap–Neuter–Return and its variants (hereafter TNR) is an example of how a scientific topic develops and is communicated academically and publicly. We found 145 TNR publications between 2002–2019, with the last two years seeing a rapid increase in studies. Publication clusters occur, focusing on: population control, interactions with wildlife, disease transmission (including implications for pet cats, wildlife and humans), free-roaming cats, and feral and domestic cat management. A quarter of all studies were published in Open Access formats, which have the highest potential social impact because they are free to download, share and read. While it is encouraging that diverse views are expressed, the development of clusters of introspective topics risks reduced dialogue between groups of authors with differing views. Journal editors could encourage exchanges between groups by choosing reviewers from different camps to assess manuscripts and by asking authors to acknowledge alternative views. Abstract Trap–Neuter–Return and its variants (hereafter TNR) aims to control unowned cat populations. Papers on this topic form a useful case study of how how an area of literature grows, papers become influential, and citation networks form, influencing future study as well as public perceptions of the science. We analysed 145 TNR studies published 2002–2019. Common topics, identified by frequently used language, were population control, interactions with wildlife, disease transmission (including implications for pets, wildlife and humans), free-roaming cats, and feral and domestic cat management. One or more papers on each of these topics was judged influential because of high citations overall, high average citations/year, or frequent mentions in social media. Open Access papers were more influential in social media, raising greater public awareness than studies published in journals that were less accessible. While divergent views exist on a range of topics, the network analysis of the TNR literature indicated potential for forming self-reinforcing groups of authors. While it is encouraging that diverse views are expressed, there is a risk of reduced dialogue interactions between groups, potentially constraining dialogue to refine arguments, share information, or plan research. Journal editors could encourage communication by choosing reviewers from different camps to assess manuscripts and by asking authors to acknowledge alternative views.
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Eight in Every 10 Abstracts of Low Back Pain Systematic Reviews Presented Spin and Inconsistencies With the Full Text: An Analysis of 66 Systematic Reviews. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2020; 50:17-23. [PMID: 31443622 DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2020.8962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Overview study. BACKGROUND Abstracts of systematic reviews have presented 'spin' (i.e. overstated interpretation of study results) and inconsistency with the full text. OBJECTIVES 1. Do abstracts of low back pain reviews contain spin? 2. Do these abstracts consistently represent the full text? 3. Is abstract spin associated with the type of conclusion? METHODS We searched the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) on 10th January 2018. Data were extracted from systematic reviews of physiotherapy interventions for low back pain, published between 2015 and 2017. Spin was assessed using a 7-item checklist. We evaluated consistency by comparing information contained in the abstract and the full text using the 7-item checklist with Kappa coefficient analysis. We used logistic regression analysis to evaluate the association between spin in the abstract and type of conclusion. We evaluated methodological quality using the AMSTAR-2 (A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews). RESULTS We included 66 eligible systematic reviews, subdivided into Cochrane (n=9) and non-Cochrane (n=57) reviews. There was some form of spin in 80% of abstracts. Abstracts of non-Cochrane reviews were not consistent with the full text (fair to moderate agreement). Cochrane review abstracts had substantial to almost perfect agreement with the full text. Spin was not associated with the type of conclusion in all systematic reviews (P < 0.05). The methodological quality ranged from 'high' to 'critically low'. CONCLUSIONS The abstracts of systematic reviews evaluating physiotherapy interventions for low back pain need improvement. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther, Epub 23 Aug 2019. doi:10.2519/jospt.2020.8962.
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Nascimento DP, Gonzalez GZ, Araujo AC, Costa LOP. Journal impact factor is associated with PRISMA endorsement, but not with the methodological quality of low back pain systematic reviews: a methodological review. EUROPEAN SPINE JOURNAL : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EUROPEAN SPINE SOCIETY, THE EUROPEAN SPINAL DEFORMITY SOCIETY, AND THE EUROPEAN SECTION OF THE CERVICAL SPINE RESEARCH SOCIETY 2019; 29:462-479. [DOI: 10.1007/s00586-019-06206-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Heinemann AW, Chan L, Hoenig HM. Archives Seeks to Improve Abstract Reporting Quality. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2019; 100:1990-1991. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2019.05.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan M Jette
- Editor in chief of PTJ and is based in Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Leonardo Oliveira Pena Costa
- Member of the PTJ Editorial Board and is associate professor and head of the master's and doctoral programs in physical therapy at Universidade Cidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Nascimento DP, Costa LOP. Spin of results in scientific articles might kill you. Braz J Phys Ther 2019; 23:365-366. [PMID: 31378634 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjpt.2019.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dafne Port Nascimento
- Masters and Doctoral Programs in Physical Therapy, Universidade Cidade de São Paulo (UNICID), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Leonardo Oliveira Pena Costa
- Masters and Doctoral Programs in Physical Therapy, Universidade Cidade de São Paulo (UNICID), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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