Table 3. Reporting methods and statistical analysis: Prevalence of use.
| Details | VAS-P(%) | RMDQ(%) | Totals(%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Usage | 205 (100) | 152 (100) | 357 (100) |
| Reporting method | |||
| Mean or mean difference | 179 (87) | 126 (83) | 300 (85) |
| P-values | 162 (79) | 109 (72) | 271 (76) |
| Standard deviation | 134 (65) | 98 (64) | 232 (65) |
| Median | 22 (11) | 14 (9) | 36 (10) |
| Range or IQR | 20 (10) | 13 (9) | 33 (9) |
| Standard error | 18 (9) | 18 (12) | 36 (10) |
| Confidence intervals | 62 (30) | 76 (50) | 138 (39) |
| Number/proportion improved* | 20 (10) | 8 (5) | 28 (8) |
| Number needed to treat | 2 (1) | 5 (3) | 7 (2) |
| Odds ratio (improvement) | 3 (1) | 9 (6) | 12 (3) |
| Relative risk (improvement) | 1 (0) | 6 (4) | 7 (2) |
| Percentage change score | 25 (12) | 15 (10) | 40 (11) |
| Standardised mean difference | 9 (4) | 11 (7) | 20 (6) |
| Graphs and tables | |||
| Table | 174 (85) | 119 (78) | 293 (82) |
| Line chart | 60 (29) | 39 (26) | 99 (28) |
| Bar chart | 29 (14) | 9 (6) | 38 (11) |
| Other | 8 (4) | 9 (6) | 17 (5) |
| Statistical analysis | |||
| ANCOVA regression / mixed model | 53 (25) | 64 (42) | 117 (33) |
| ANOVA/MANOVA regression / mixed model | 74 (36) | 39 (26) | 113 (32) |
| t test | 93 (45) | 43 (28) | 136 (38) |
| Non-parametric test† | 68 (33) | 37 (24) | 105 (29) |
| Other | 18 (9) | 9 (6) | 27 (8) |
| Within-group analysis only | 11 (5) | 3 (2) | 14 (4) |
| Test not described | 10 (5) | 10 (7) | 20 (6) |
VAS = Visual analogue scale
RMDQ = Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire
IQR = Interquartile range
* Where ‘improvement’ is defined by the change in score of a specified magnitude
† e.g. Wilcoxon, Friedman’s, Mann Whitney U, or Kruskal Wallis