2015 Updated Method Guideline for Systematic Reviews in the ... : Spine (original) (raw)

COCHRANE COLLABORATION

2015 Updated Method Guideline for Systematic Reviews in the Cochrane Back and Neck Group

Furlan, Andrea D. MD, PhD*; Malmivaara, Antti MD, PhD†; Chou, Roger MD‡; Maher, Chris G. PhD, FACP§; Deyo, Rick A. MD, MPH¶; Schoene, Mark*; Bronfort, Gert DC, PhD||; van Tulder, Maurits W. PhD** from the Editorial Board of the Cochrane Back, Neck Group

*Cochrane Back and Neck Group, Institute for Work and Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

†Centre for Health and Social Economics, Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland and Oulu University, Oulu, Finland

‡Departments of Medicine and Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) School of Medicine, Portland, OR

§The George Institute for Global Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

¶Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR

||Integrative Health, and Wellbeing Research Program, Center for Spirituality and Healing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

**Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Andrea D. Furlan, MD, PhD, Cochrane Back and Neck Group, Institute for Work & Health, 481 University Ave, Suite 800, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2E9, Canada; E-mail: [email protected]

Received 23 June, 2015

Accepted 28 June, 2015

The manuscript submitted does not contain information about medical device(s)/drug(s).

No funds were received in support of this work.

Relevant financial activities outside the submitted work: board membership, employment, grants, royalties, payment for lectures, payment for development of educational presentations, travel/accommodations/meeting expenses.

Supplemental digital content is available for this article. Direct URL citation appearing in the printed text is provided in the HTML and PDF version of this article on the journal's Web site (www.spinejournal.com).

Abstract

Study Design.

Method guideline for systematic reviews of trials of interventions for neck and back pain, and related spinal disorders.

Objective.

To help authors design, conduct, and report systematic reviews of trials in this field.

Summary of Background Data.

In 1997, the Cochrane Back Review Group editorial board published the Method Guideline for Systematic Reviews, which was updated in 2003 and in 2009. Since then, new methodological evidence has emerged and standards have changed, therefore it was clear that revisions were needed to the 2009 guideline. In May 2015 the group changed its name to Cochrane Back and Neck.

Methods.

The editorial board met in September 2014 to review the relevant new methodological evidence and determine how it should be incorporated. Members of the advisory board were consulted. Based on the feedback received, an updated method guideline was prepared and approved by the editorial board.

Results.

We have updated recommendations in 7 categories: objectives, literature search, selection criteria, risk of bias assessment, data extraction, data analysis, and reporting of results and conclusions. Each category is classified into minimum criteria (mandatory) and further guidance (optional). This update also includes some new guidance for preparation of summary of finding tables and for conducting nonintervention reviews.

Conclusion.

Citations of previous versions of the method guideline in published scientific articles (1193 in total) suggest that others may find this guideline useful to plan, conduct, or evaluate systematic reviews in the field of back and neck pain, and spinal disorders.

Level of Evidence: N/A