Critically Appraised Papers and Topics Part 2: How to Read and Interpret a CAP

Abstract

IN ORDER TO appropriately benefit from a Critically Appraised Paper (CAP) or Critically Appraised Topic (CAT), one must first be able to accurately interpret its components. Although both the CAP and CAT are very similar tools for critically appraising the literature, the CAT includes a few distinguishing features. Also, the clinical bottom line described in a CAT entails a synthesis of information gathered from each respective study. Because multiple studies are reviewed in a CAT, the clinical bottom line may be more credible, as clinically relevant evidence has been collected from several sources. The purpose of this report is to learn how to read and interpret a CAP. The CAP begins with a clinical question that serves as a reference to assess the worth of the paper as to a particular population to which the intervention, assessment, or diagnosis will be applied. In the case of this report, we would like to determine whether treatment by means of joint mobilizations will alleviate mechanical low back pain in young athletic women. The specific population (women) is identified as well as the type of intervention to be applied (grade 1 and 2