title: The reporting of blinding in physical medicine and rehabilitation randomized controlled trials: a systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To conduct a systematic review evaluating the reporting of blinding in randomized controlled trials published in the field of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation over two time periods.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched MEDLINE via PubMed for all randomized controlled trials published in American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Clinical Rehabilitation, Disability and Rehabilitation and (Scandinavian) Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine in the years 2000 and 2010.
  
  
  METHODS
  We initially identified 222 articles, and 139 (62.6%) met our selection criteria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two independent investigators collected data regarding study characteristics and blinding from each article. Consistency of data extraction was evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When comparing articles from 2010 and 2000, the former showed significantly higher rates for reporting of blinding, explicitly describing key persons' blinding status, and discussing the absence of blinding as a study limitation. There was a trend for lower reporting among trials with positive outcomes. No improvement was observed in other CONSORT-enforced parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the reporting of blinding in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation randomized controlled trials shows some improvement over the past decade, it still does not fulfill current recommendations. Given its critical role in determining internal validity, stricter enforcement of CONSORT guidelines is needed.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuromodulation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 02114 Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Mauricio F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Villamar
authors.forename: Vanessa Suárez
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Contreras
authors.forename: Richard E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Kuntz
authors.forename: Felipe
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fregni
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000592:standards*; D015340:Epidemiologic Research Design; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D010810:Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine / Q000592:standards*; D011643:Publishing / Q000592:standards*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000592:standards*