The PEDro scale provides a more comprehensive measure of methodological quality than the Jadad scale in stroke rehabilitation literature.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically compare the PEDro scale and the Jadad scale when applied to the stroke rehabilitation literature.


METHODS
A literature search of multiple databases was used to identify all trials from 1968 through 2002. Each article was reviewed and assigned quality scores according to PEDro and Jadad criteria. Quality scores for both scales were compared using descriptive statistics. The correlation between the scales was estimated using the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient.


RESULTS
272 randomized controlled trials were retrieved and subjected to quality scoring to both the PEDro scale and the Jadad scale. Mean scores (with standard deviation) for the PEDro and Jadad scales were 5.78 (1.4) and 2.46 (1.1), respectively. The Pearson coefficient determined the PEDro and Jadad scales to be significantly correlated (r = .59, P < .01). Although significant, the correlation was not deemed to be very strong. When applied to physical or rehabilitation therapy studies only, the scales were slightly less correlated (r = .49, P < .01) than among drug-based studies (r = .52, P < .01).


CONCLUSIONS
In the stroke rehabilitation literature, where double-blinding studies are often not possible due to the nature of the interventions, breaking down the levels of blinding and accounting for concealed allocation, intention-to-treat, and attrition is important. Accordingly, the PEDro scale provides a more comprehensive measure of methodological quality of the stroke literature.
Bhogal
Sanjit K
SK
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Western Ontario, St. Joseph's Health Care London, Parkwood Hospital, 801 Commissioners Road, East, London, Ontario N6C 5J1, Canada.
Teasell
Robert W
RW
Foley
Norine C
NC
Speechley
Mark R
MR
D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000592:standards; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards*; D020521:Stroke / Q000628:therapy; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome