Finding and evaluating randomised controlled trials in nursing conducted by Spanish research teams: A scoping review

Abstract

Background/objectives: To identify and assess the main characteristics and the potential risk of bias of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in nursing conducted by Spanish research teams. Methods: Scoping review of an electronic search in three major databases (date of search: October 2021). For the eligible studies, both descriptive data, and data to assess the potential risk of bias, were collected and analysed. Results: Of 3391 references retrieved, 199 were eligible. These RCTs were published in 122 journals, most of them in English (101, 82.1%) and were included in the Journal Citation Report (JCR) (107, 87.7%). Moreover, 32 (26.2%) of those included in the JCR were classified under nursing. Two thirds (81, 66.4%) of the journals followed the CONSORT guidelines. A total of 65 RCTs (33.7%) had a high overall risk of bias.Discussion: Most of the identified RCTs were published in journals not specific to nursing and in English language. Also, shortcomings in RCT design and reporting were observed despite recommendations to adhere the CONSORT guidelines. Conclusion:Comprehensive identification of RCTs in nursing may require searching in journals other than nursing-related. RCTs from Spanish research teams are more likely to be published in international journals published in English. CONSORT should be strongly advised to encourage proper design and reporting of RCTs.

Randomized controlled trials in nursing conducted by Latin American research teams: A scoping review

“…Our findings revealed an average of approximately three RCTs published per year, lower than that reported for Spanish authors which were seven RCTs per year (Medina-Aedo et al, 2022) and other disciplines and in high-income countries (Arevalo-Rodriguez et al, 2018;Gonella et al, 2019;Turrillas et al, 2017). This finding may be explained by political environments, implementation costs, inadequate research training, and poor infrastructure, all of which may disproportionately affect nurses (Aguilera, 2021;Gyawali et al, 2020;Iribarren et al, 2018).…”

“…Although we did not analyze the impact factor of journals where the identified RCTs are published, Latin American authors tended to publish their research in international journals, likely driven by the higher impact factor and broader readership associated with such publications (Loezar et al., 2018; Medina‐Aedo et al., 2022). Over time, there has been an increase in the publication of nursing RCTs in English‐language journals, with approximately one‐fifth of all trials published within the last 3 years.…”

“…Previous work has identified and ascertained the quality of nursing RCTs in the United States (U.S.), Spain and Australia (Adams et al., 2018; Guo et al., 2014; Medina‐Aedo et al., 2022; Munday et al., 2020; Pham et al., 2021). To our knowledge, no study has done so for nursing RCTs conducted by Latin American research teams.…”

“…a Include multicomponent intervention, nursing procedures, and alternative therapies.TA B L E 3journals to ensure a comprehensive inclusion of all relevant RCTs(Hopewell et al, 2007). Manual searches complement this work and facilitate the detection of trials published in non-indexed journals.Previous projects, such as those undertaken by the Iberoamerican Cochrane Centre, have successfully increased the visibility of RCTs published in non-indexed journals by adding this body of evidence to BADERI (Database of Iberoamerican Clinical Trials and Journals, by its initials in Spanish)(Arevalo-Rodriguez et al, 2018;Gutarra-Vilchez et al, 2016;Loezar et al, 2018;Martí et al, 1999;Medina-Aedo et al, 2022;Pardo-Hernandez et al, 2017;Sanclemente et al, 2015;Turrillas et al, 2017;Villanueva et al, 2018). development of RCTs in nursing.…”

In this issue…

“…Elsewhere in this issue, we have a bumper collection of manuscript. We begin with a scoping review by Medina‐Adeo et al (2022) who identified and analysed the methodological quality of nursing‐related randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published in Spanish or by authors from Spanish institutions. Published in 122 journals, 199 references for RCTS met the review criteria.…”