The Fragility of Statistically Significant Binary Outcomes for Treating Achilles Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review of Randomized Trials.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the gold standard for treatment efficacy, but foot and ankle RCTs are often small or inconsistent. The Fragility Index (FI) evaluates the stability of significant findings. This study assessed the fragility of RCT outcomes for Achilles tendon pathology (ATP) interventions.

Methods

This systematic review queried PubMed up to May 14, 2024, for RCTs on ATP interventions. RCTs with significant binary outcomes were included. Two reviewers assessed eligibility, extracted data, calculated FIs, and evaluated risk of bias. Frequency-weighted means were used for narrative synthesis.

Results

Eleven RCTs with 4506 patients (mean cohort size: 409.64 ± 160.54) and a mean age of 36.97 ± 13.51 years (n = 4356; 96.67%) were included,

SUBMITTER: Anaspure OS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11580056 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature