Are plain-language summaries included in published reports of evidence about physiotherapy interventions? Analysis of 4421 randomised trials, systematic reviews and guidelines on the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro)

Author(s)

Carvalho, Flavia A. ^[1] ; Elkins, Mark R. ^{[2, 3]} ; Franco, Marcia R. ^[4] ; Pinto, Rafael Z. ^[5]

Affiliation

^[1] Sao Paulo State Univ, Fac Sci & Technol, Dept Phys Therapy, Presidente Prudente - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sydney, Sydney Med Sch, Sydney, NSW - Australia

^[3] Univ Sydney, Ctr Evidence Based Physiotherapy, Sch Publ Hlth, Inst Musculoskeletal Hlth, Sydney, NSW - Australia

^[4] Ctr Univ UNA, Dept Phys Therapy, Contagem - Brazil

^[5] Univ Fed Minas Gerais, Dept Phys Therapy, Belo Horizonte, MG - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PHYSIOTHERAPY; v. 105, n. 3, p. 354-361, SEP 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Background A plain-language summary is a short and clearly stated version of a study's results using non-scientific vocabulary that provide many advantages for patients and clinicians in the process of shared decision-making. Objectives The primary objective was to investigate the extent to which published reports of physiotherapy interventions provide plain language summaries. We investigate as the secondary objectives if the available plain-language summaries are at a suitable reading level for a lay person and if inclusion of plain-language summaries in these reports is increasing over time and is associated with trial quality (i.e. PEDro score). Data sources All 4421 randomised controlled trials (RCT), systematic reviews and clinical practice guidelines that included plain-language summaries indexed on Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) were included. Main outcome measures Proportion of published reports with plain-language summaries, Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES) and the Flesch Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL). Results The number of published reports with a plain-language summary doubled in the last 6 years. From a total of 34,444 reports indexed on PEDro, only 4421 reports had English plain-language summaries. RCTs with plain-language summaries had higher PEDro scores than RCTs without plain-language summaries (mean difference = 0.8 points, 95%CI 0.7 to 0.8). Only 2% of reports were considered at a suitable reading level by the FKGL formula and 0.1% by the FRES formula. Conclusions Although the publication of plain-language summaries is increasing over time, the current number corresponds to only 13% of all published reports. In addition the majority of plain-language summaries are written at an advanced reading level. (C) 2018 Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/11609-4 - Do published reports include plain-language summaries to patients? Analysis of articles indexed on the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro)
• Grantee: Flávia Alves de Carvalho
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 16/17567-1 - A/Prof Dr. Mark Elkins' academic visit to the physiotherapy post-graduation program from the Faculty of Science and Technology at São Paulo State University
• Grantee: Rafael Zambelli de Almeida Pinto
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - International
• FAPESP's process: 15/07704-9 - Effects of senior dance on risk factors for falls in older adults: a randomised controlled clinical trial
• Grantee: Marcia Rodrigues Franco Zambelli
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral