Comparison of randomized and non-randomized controlled trials evidence regarding the effectiveness of workplace exercise on musculoskeletal pain control.

摘要: Evidence synthesized based on randomized controlled trials (RCT) results are recognized as the pinnacle of research excellence; however, conduction RCT in workplace environment is not always possible. This study comparatively reviewed evidence from and non-RCT studies which participants performed exercise for musculoskeletal pain control. Up to February 2011, PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, PEDro Web Science databases were searched. All that evaluated interventions controlling included. The scale was used rate studies' quality, PRISMA Cochrane recommendations applied, association between frequencies effect size categories (small, moderate, large) various outcomes by type tested (2x3 contingency table). search yielded 10239 references English, 21 12 selected. Both groups presented methodological flaws including descriptions randomization, blinding examiners absence intention-to-treat analysis RCT, further controls blind assessor non-RCTs. RCTs had significantly more moderate large reported their compared non-RCTs (p=0.04). Considering difficulties randomizing occupational settings, all would benefit better describing pertinent information.