Article type
Abstract
"Background A clinical practice guideline for children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CANDLEP) was launched in May, 2022. Eight domains were established concerning function including muscle strength and endurance, secondary musculoskeletal disorders, gait, upper extremity function, gross motor, self-care ability, physical activity and participation, and muscle tone. The goal of CANDLEP is to improve the quality of life and overall health of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy（CP）.
Objectives To establish a judgement process to identify the correlations between muscle tone and other seven domains.
Methods A systematic search was performed in Embase via Ovid, PubMed, Cochrane and IEEE on November 23, 2022. For figuring out whether there is correlation between muscle tone and the other seven domains, we took into consideration the number of correlation coefficients between muscle tone indexes and related factors, the number of included studies, and the reported sample sizes. A pre-specified logical judgment scheme was initially devised and further refined during data analysis.
Results A total of seventy primary studies and 1,889 correlation coefficients were included in the analysis. The process was structured into four steps. The association of interest was identified for each study using a predefined cutoff (step 1). Then, studies were grouped based on the presence or absence of the identified association (step 2). Next, the proportions of studies indicating a relationship between muscle tone and other domains were computed (step 3). Additionally, we obtained a ratio of average sample size in studies with and without association (step 4). If there is only one article with an identified correlation result in step 2, the optimal sample size was recommended to be further calculated before proceeding to step 4. The final judgments of the correlation were categorized into five options: yes, probably yes, uncertain, probably no, and no.
Conclusions Rather than evaluating solely based on the quantity of articles, we consider the number of correlation coefficients, articles, and sample sizes in an innovative manner. The optimal sample size and ratio of average sample sizes are key indexes in this process."
Objectives To establish a judgement process to identify the correlations between muscle tone and other seven domains.
Methods A systematic search was performed in Embase via Ovid, PubMed, Cochrane and IEEE on November 23, 2022. For figuring out whether there is correlation between muscle tone and the other seven domains, we took into consideration the number of correlation coefficients between muscle tone indexes and related factors, the number of included studies, and the reported sample sizes. A pre-specified logical judgment scheme was initially devised and further refined during data analysis.
Results A total of seventy primary studies and 1,889 correlation coefficients were included in the analysis. The process was structured into four steps. The association of interest was identified for each study using a predefined cutoff (step 1). Then, studies were grouped based on the presence or absence of the identified association (step 2). Next, the proportions of studies indicating a relationship between muscle tone and other domains were computed (step 3). Additionally, we obtained a ratio of average sample size in studies with and without association (step 4). If there is only one article with an identified correlation result in step 2, the optimal sample size was recommended to be further calculated before proceeding to step 4. The final judgments of the correlation were categorized into five options: yes, probably yes, uncertain, probably no, and no.
Conclusions Rather than evaluating solely based on the quantity of articles, we consider the number of correlation coefficients, articles, and sample sizes in an innovative manner. The optimal sample size and ratio of average sample sizes are key indexes in this process."