How do you do this? Click on the tabs above to learn more
Source: Sackett, D., Rosenberg, W., Gray, J., Haynes, R., & Richardson, W. (1996, January 13). Evidence based medicine: What it is and what it isn't. BMJ, 312(7023), 71-72. Retrieved from http://www.bmj.com​.
Use the PICOT acronym to help you create a research question:
Who is your patient? Identify a disease, health status, age, race, geographic region, sex, or a specific characteristic important to your question.
What do you plan to do for the patient? Identify a specific test, therapy, medication or management strategy.
What is the alternative to your plan? Examples may include: no treatment or a different type of treatment.
Example: non-VR (or option to have no comparison)
What outcome do you seek? Identify possible outcomes/results of the intervention such as less symptoms, no symptoms, or better quality of life...etc.
What is the time frame? What study types will most likely have the information you seek?
Search article databases using some of the concepts/words you generated from the PICO acronym:
P = patient/population/problem
I = intervention/indicator
C = compare/control
O = outcome
T = time/type of study or question
This question addresses the treatment of an illness or disability.
In _________ (P), how does _________ (I) compared to _________(C) affect _______(O) within _______ (T)?
In _______(P), what is the effect of _______(I) on ______(O) compared with _______(C) within ________ (T)?
Example:
In middle-aged adults with chronic ankle instability(P), how does kinesio-taping (I) compare to ankle support brace (C) affect the reoccurrence of ankle injuries(O)?
In student athletes with chronic knee pain(P), how does acetaminophen(I) compared to ibuprofen(C) affect liver function(O)?
This question addresses how to reduce the chance of disease by identifying and modifying risk factors and how to diagnose disease early by screening.
For ________ (P) does the use of ______ (I) reduce the future risk of ________ (O) compared with _________ (C)?
Examples:
In adolescents(P) receiving a routine physical examination how effective is an initial 12-lead EKG(I) versus the standard auscultation(C) in predicting and preventing sudden death cardiac events(O)?
In adolescents(P) experiencing a sudden death cardiac event how effective is hands-only CPR versus hands plus breathing CPR at preventing mortality?
These questions address the causes or origin of disease, the factors that produce or predispose an individual towards a certain disease or disorder.
Are ____ (P) who have _______ (I) at ___ (Increased/decreased) risk for/of_______ (O) compared with ______ (P) with/without ______ (C) over _____ (T)?
Are ______(P) who have ______(I) compared with those without _______(C) at ________ risk for/of _______ (O) over ________(T)?
Examples:
Are athletes(P) that participate in high impact sports(I) following repeated traumatic brain injuries(T) at increased risk for dementia(O) compared with athletes(P) that participate in low impact sports without repeated traumatic brain injuries(T)?
Do children(P) diagnosed with obesity prefer dietary changes(I) or exercise (play, sports, or modeling)(C) to reduce weight(O) during the ages of 5 to 12 years(T)?
This question address the causes or origin of disease, the factors that produce or predispose an individual towards a certain disease or disorder.
Are ____ (P) who have _______ (I) at ___ (Increased/decreased) risk for/of_______ (O) compared with ______ (P) with/without ______ (C) over _____ (T)?
Are ______(P) who have ______(I) compared with those without _______(C) at ________ risk for/of _______ (O) over ________(T)?
Examples:
Are athletes(P) that participate in high impact sports(I) following repeated traumatic brain injuries(T) at increased risk for dementia(O) compared with athletes(P) that participate in low impact sports without repeated traumatic brain injuries(T)?
Do children(P) diagnosed with obesity prefer dietary changes(I) or exercise (play, sports, or modeling)(C) to reduce weight(O) during the ages of 5 to 12 years(T)?
This question addresses the act or process of identifying or determining the nature and cause of a disease or injury through evaluation.
Are (is) _________ (I) more accurate in diagnosing ________ (P) compared with ______ (C) for _______ (O)?
In ________ (P) are/is ________(I) compared with ________(C) more accurate in diagnosing ________(O)?
Example:
In athletes that have experienced a popping sensation(P), is the Lachman tests(I) compared to a Lelli's Test(C) more accurate in diagnosing an Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear?
This question address how one experience a phenomenon or event.
How do ________ (P) diagnosed with _______ (I) perceive ______ (O) during _____ (T)?
Example:
How do athletes(P) perceive reporting (O) for drug-testing programs as a deterrent from using performance-enhancing drugs prior to spring training(T)?
In athletes(P) who have experienced panic-attack-like-symptoms, how does the consumption of(I) or abstinence from(C) consuming energy drinks impact the occurrence of additional episodes after the initial onset of symptoms(T)?
(thank you to Traci Mays at FGCU Library for permitting use of these examples)
A meta-analysis will thoroughly examine a number of valid studies on a topic and combine the results using accepted statistical methodology as if they were from one large study. Articles that are Systemic Reviews are desirable because they usually focus on a clinical topic with a specific answer and an extensive literature search is conducted to identify all studies with sound methodology. In other words, systemic reviews do the work for you by gathering many research studies together, analyzing them and presenting you with sound, evidence-based results.
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Sometimes "Systematic Review" or "Meta-Analysis" will be in the article title. Authors did an extensive review of the medical literature to find all other articles about virtual reality and gait/balance in stroke patients. Conclusions point you to what the current evidenced-based practices are. This systematic reviews shows that virtual reality training has proven beneficial for gait/balance rehabilitation of stroke victims.
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Try some of these databases to locate Evidence-Based Medicine Articles
Consider the steps outlined in here and in the image below.
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Consider following the steps shown in the image below.
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