Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

OBJECTIVES: Publication bias is a problem in systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of publication bias in a systematic review of the effectiveness of Progressive Resistance Training (PRT) in older people. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: The relevant studies were ascertained from three sources: electronic databases, experts, and handsearching. Capture-recapture, visual inspection of funnel plots, two statistical tests, and two methods that make adjustments for publication bias, were employed to check the robustness of the conclusions of the systematic review. RESULTS: The methods employed gave broadly consistent results. Capture-recapture estimated that 3 (95% CI ) relevant studies were missed, while Trim and Fill suggested 16 studies had been missed. Both Egger's test for bias and a funnel plot regression approach suggested that publication bias was present. A selection model approach suggested that the funnel plot asymmetry observed may not be entirely due to publication bias. CONCLUSION: Capture-recapture is a potentially useful method for assessing publication bias. Further research in the form of simulation studies is required, using a variety of scenarios to investigate the extent to which each method approximates the truth.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.jclinepi.2003.09.015

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Clin Epidemiol

Publication Date

04/2004

Volume

57

Pages

349 - 357

Keywords

Aged, Data Interpretation, Statistical, Disability Evaluation, Exercise, Humans, Meta-Analysis as Topic, Middle Aged, Muscle, Skeletal, Publication Bias, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Review Literature as Topic, Statistics as Topic