Assessment of the statistical quality of randomized controlled clinical trials of motor rehabilitation interventions for stroke - A meta-research study

• Grant number: 24/14388-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: June 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Thiago Luiz de Russo
• Grantee: Leonardo Furlan
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Statistical problems in the analysis, reporting, and interpretation of the results of randomized controlled clinical trials (RCCTs) are common in the biomedical literature, including in rehabilitation studies. Such problems can lead to inappropriate conclusions about the effects of the respective therapeutic interventions, which can not only affect clinical practice and health services in general, but also hamper replication of research findings and thereby halt scientific progress. A likely important factor contributing to statistical problems/errors in clinical research is the lack of acquaintance and practical training on the part of researchers/authors with more advanced yet accessible analytical concepts and techniques. However, this issue has been somewhat overlooked in the stroke motor rehabilitation literature specifically, and thus more research is needed to better quantify the prevalence of statistical problems in this area, as well as to develop solutions to these problems. The goal of the present study is to assess the statistical quality of the articles reporting the results of RCCTs of motor rehabilitation interventions for stroke, detecting potential statistical problems with the analysis, reporting and/or interpretation of the results of these RCCTs. To meet this goal, a systematic review of the stroke motor rehabilitation literature and the application of a specific checklist will be performed. The present study is expected to contribute to the improvement and advancement of research on stroke motor rehabilitation interventions. (AU)