Reported methods for handling missing change standard deviations in meta-analyses of exercise therapy interventions in patients with heart failure: A systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Well-constructed systematic reviews and meta-analyses are key tools in evidenced-based healthcare. However, a common problem with performing a meta-analysis is missing data, such as standard deviations (SD). An increasing number of methods are utilised to calculate or impute missing SDs, allowing these studies to be included in analyses. The aim of this review was to investigate the methods reported and utilised for handling missing change SDs in meta-analyses, using the topic of exercise therapy in heart failure patients as a model.

Methods

A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library from 1 January 2014 to 31st March 2018 was conducted for meta-analyses of exercise based trials in heart failure. Studies were eligible to be included if they performe

SUBMITTER: Pearson MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6193694 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature