OBJECTIVE: Evidence-based practice requires access to systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials; however, most literature databases index primarily English-language journals. We sought to determine the extent and quality of Portuguese- and Spanish-language reports of randomized trials relevant to physiotherapy by searching the LILACS database (Literatura Latino Americana e do Caribe em Ciencias da Saude). A secondary aim was to compare the sensitivity of three strategies for searching for Portuguese- and Spanish-language randomized trials in physiotherapy. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: The LILACS database was searched for randomized trials using three search strategies. RESULTS: Three search strategies returned 5,262 records, of which only 47 were randomized trials. Most trials reported treatments for pain or cardiopulmonary disease, and most were of moderate to high quality. The sensitivity of the three search strategies varied from 2% to 53%. CONCLUSION: A small number of moderate- to high-quality randomized trials in physiotherapy are published in Spanish and Portuguese languages, but they are difficult to find.
BT - Journal of Clinical Epidemiology C1 - 2.440 C2 - 2.565 CN - N DA - 54242525400 J2 - J Clin Epidemiol LA - eng LB - MSjournal M1 - 3 N1 - HERDC category C1 N2 -OBJECTIVE: Evidence-based practice requires access to systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials; however, most literature databases index primarily English-language journals. We sought to determine the extent and quality of Portuguese- and Spanish-language reports of randomized trials relevant to physiotherapy by searching the LILACS database (Literatura Latino Americana e do Caribe em Ciencias da Saude). A secondary aim was to compare the sensitivity of three strategies for searching for Portuguese- and Spanish-language randomized trials in physiotherapy. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: The LILACS database was searched for randomized trials using three search strategies. RESULTS: Three search strategies returned 5,262 records, of which only 47 were randomized trials. Most trials reported treatments for pain or cardiopulmonary disease, and most were of moderate to high quality. The sensitivity of the three search strategies varied from 2% to 53%. CONCLUSION: A small number of moderate- to high-quality randomized trials in physiotherapy are published in Spanish and Portuguese languages, but they are difficult to find.
PY - 2005 SE - 2.565 SP - 233 EP - 237. [Impact Factor 2.565] ST - J Clin Epidemiol.J Clin Epidemiol. T2 - Journal of Clinical Epidemiology TI - Searching the LILACS database for Portuguese- and Spanish-language randomized trials in physiotherapy was difficult VL - 58 ER -