| Abstrakt: |
ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate whether the format and type of conclusion in Cochrane plain language summaries (PLSs) influence readers’ perception of treatment benefit and decision-making.DesignAn online parallel group, three-arm randomised controlled trial was conducted.SettingThe study was conducted online.ParticipantsThe participants were physiotherapy students.InterventionsThe participants read two Cochrane PLSs, one with a positive conclusion (strong evidence of benefit) and another with a negative conclusion (strong evidence of non-benefit). Each participant read the results of both reviews presented in one of three formats: (1) numerical, (2) textual or (3) numerical and textual.Main outcome measuresThe primary outcome measure was the participants’ perception of treatment benefit.ResultsAll three groups of participants perceived the treatment to have positive effects when the Cochrane PLS had a positive conclusion, regardless of the format of presentation (mean perception of treatment benefit score: textual 7.7 (SD 2.3), numerical 7.9 (SD 1.8), numerical and textual 7.7 (SD 1.7), p=0.362). However, when the Cochrane PLS had a negative conclusion, all three groups of participants failed to perceive a negative effect (mean perception of treatment benefit score: textual 5.5 (SD 3.3), numerical 5.6 (SD 2.7), numerical and textual 5.9 (SD 2.8), p=0.019).ConclusionsThe format of Cochrane PLSs does not appear to significantly impact physiotherapy students’ perception of treatment benefit, understanding of evidence, persuasiveness or confidence in their decision. However, participants’ perception of treatment benefit does not align with the conclusion when the Cochrane PLS indicates strong evidence of non-benefit from the intervention.Trial registration numberCTRI/2022/10/046476. |
