Bmc Med Res Methodol
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Bmc Med Res Methodol · Oct 2013
Review Meta AnalysisA systematic review and meta-analysis of acute stroke unit care: what's beyond the statistical significance?
The benefits of stroke unit care in terms of reducing death, dependency and institutional care were demonstrated in a 2009 Cochrane review carried out by the Stroke Unit Trialists' Collaboration. ⋯ These findings demonstrate that a well-conducted meta-analysis can produce results that can be of value to policymakers but the choice of inclusion/exclusion criteria and outcomes in this context needs careful consideration. The financing of interventions such as stroke units that increase independency and reduce inpatient stays are worthwhile in a context of an ageing population with increasing care needs. One limitation of this study was the selection of trials published in only four languages: English, French, Dutch and German. This choice was pragmatic in the context of this study, where the objective was to support health authorities in their decision processes.
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Bmc Med Res Methodol · Oct 2013
ReviewA systematic review of cluster randomised trials in residential facilities for older people suggests how to improve quality.
Previous reviews of cluster randomised trials have been critical of the quality of the trials reviewed, but none has explored determinants of the quality of these trials in a specific field over an extended period of time. Recent work suggests that correct conduct and reporting of these trials may require more than published guidelines. In this review, our aim was to assess the quality of cluster randomised trials conducted in residential facilities for older people, and to determine whether (1) statistician involvement in the trial and (2) strength of journal endorsement of the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement influence quality. ⋯ Despite international attempts to improve methods in cluster randomised trials, important quality limitations remain amongst these trials in residential facilities. Statistician involvement on trial teams may be more effective in promoting quality than further journal endorsement of the CONSORT statement. Funding bodies and journals should promote statistician involvement and co-authorship in addition to adherence to CONSORT guidelines.
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Bmc Med Res Methodol · Oct 2013
Shortening the Current Opioid Misuse Measure via computer-based testing: a retrospective proof-of-concept study.
The Current Opioid Misuse Measure (COMM) is a self-report questionnaire designed to help identify aberrant drug-related behavior in respondents who have been prescribed opioids for chronic pain. The full-length form of the COMM consists of 17 items. Some individuals, especially compromised individuals, may be deterred from taking the full questionnaire due to its length. This study examined the use of curtailment and stochastic curtailment, two computer-based testing approaches that sequentially determine the test length for each individual, to reduce the respondent burden of the COMM without compromising sensitivity and specificity. ⋯ Curtailment and stochastic curtailment have the potential to achieve substantial reductions in respondent burden without compromising sensitivity and specificity. The two sequential methods should be considered for future computer-based administrations of the COMM.