Meta-analyzability Concerns in Meta-analyses

Chih-Yang Hsu; Yen-Nung Lin

doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2019.01.002

Meta-analyzability Concerns in Meta-analyses

Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2019 Aug;100(8):1574-1577. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2019.01.002. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Authors

Chih-Yang Hsu¹, Yen-Nung Lin²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Wan-Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
² Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Wan-Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Injury Prevention and Control, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: semitune@gmail.com.

PMID: 30690008
DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2019.01.002

Abstract

Many studies to date have conducted a meta-analysis on a mix of effectiveness and superiority studies. This methodological flaw will lead to difficulties in interpreting the results. We addressed this issue in this article, illustrated our point with a simulated experiment, and re-analyzed a recent meta-analysis study based on the effectiveness-superiority dichotomy to provide a real-world correlate of our point of view.

Keywords: Clinical Effectiveness; Meta-Analysis; Methods; Rehabilitation; Superiority Trial; Systemic Reviews.

MeSH terms

Humans
Meta-Analysis as Topic*
Rehabilitation*
Research Design*