title: Clinical trial registration in physical therapy journals: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Clinical trial registration has become an important part of editorial policies of various biomedical journals, including a few physical therapy journals. However, the extent to which editorial boards enforce the need for trial registration varies across journals.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to identify editorial policies and reporting of trial registration details in MEDLINE-indexed English-language physical therapy journals.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was carried out using a cross-sectional design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Editorial policies on trial registration of MEDLINE-indexed member journals of the International Society of Physiotherapy Journal Editors (ISPJE) (Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy, Journal of Hand Therapy, Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy, Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, Journal of Physiotherapy [formerly Australian Journal of Physiotherapy], Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, Manual Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physical Therapy in Sport, Physiotherapy, Physiotherapy Research International, Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, and Revista Brasileira de Fisioterapia) were reviewed in April 2013. Full texts of reports of clinical trials published in these journals between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2012, were independently assessed for information on trial registration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 13 journals, 8 recommended trial registration, and 6 emphasized prospective trial registration. As of April 2013, 4,618 articles were published between January 2008 and December 2012, of which 9% (417) were clinical trials and 29% (121/417) of these reported trial registration details. A positive trend in reporting of trial registration was observed from 2008 to 2012.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study was limited to MEDLINE-indexed ISPJE member journals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Editorial policies on trial registration of physical therapy journals and a rising trend toward reporting of trial registration details indicate a positive momentum toward trial registration. Physical therapy journal editors need to show greater commitment to prospective trial registration to make it a rule rather than an option.
authors.affiliation: A.S. Babu, MPT, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Abraham Samuel
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Babu
authors.forename: Sundar Kumar
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Veluswamy
authors.forename: Pratiksha Tilak
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Arun G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Maiya
mesh_terms: D015706:Bibliometrics; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D035081:Editorial Policies; D006801:Humans; D010506:Periodicals as Topic; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty; D017594:Publication Bias; D012042:Registries