title: Identification and description of controlled clinical trials published in Physiotherapy journals in Spain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The quantity and quality of research in physiotherapy has increased exponentially during the past decades. However, retrieving publications associated with this field of research is difficult. The aim of this study is to identify and describe controlled clinical trials (CCT) published in Spanish physiotherapy journals using electronic and handsearching strategies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational study through which we identified eligible journals in order to retrieve CCTs using electronic and handsearching strategies, as proposed by the Cochrane Collaboration. A descriptive analysis of the main characteristics of these CCTs was completed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-eight CCTs were identified in 10 eligible journals, none of which were indexed in the major databases. 16.7% of the identified studies were multicentric. Traumatology and orthopaedics was the most studied field (33.3%) followed by neurology (15.4%). The most researched health problems were back pain (17.24%) fibromyalgia, arthrosis and stroke (6.8% each). Measured outcomes varied greatly, including pain control, functional mobility and quality of life. Most CCTs (64.1%) had a high risk of bias.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The number of CCTs published in Spanish physiotherapy journals is limited. Handsearching these journals is essential, since none is indexed in major databases. In general, the identified CCTs carry a high risk of bias.
authors.affiliation: Iberoamerican Cochrane Network, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Maitane
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Turrillas
authors.affiliation: Physical Activity and Health Group, Universitat Ramon Llull, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Mercè
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sitjà-Rabert
authors.affiliation: Iberoamerican Cochrane Centre, Institute of Biomedical Research (IIB Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Hector
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pardo
authors.affiliation: Physical Activity and Health Group, Universitat Ramon Llull, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vilaró Casamitjana
authors.affiliation: Physical Activity and Health Group, Universitat Ramon Llull, Barcelona, Spain.|Physical Activity and Health Group, EUSES Sport Sciences School, Universitat de Girona, Girona, Spain.
authors.forename: Azahara
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fort-Vanmeerhaeghe
authors.affiliation: Blanquerna School of Health Science, Universitat Ramon Llull, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Morral Fernández
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapy Department, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain.|Rehabilitation Department, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Maria Àngels
authors.initials: MÀ
authors.lastname: Cebrià I Iranzo
authors.affiliation: Iberoamerican Cochrane Centre, Institute of Biomedical Research (IIB Sant Pau), Barcelona, Spain.|Hospital de la Santa Creu I Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.|Group 43, CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Bonfill Cosp
mesh_terms: D015706:Bibliometrics; D016206:Databases, Bibliographic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012106:Research / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013030:Spain
keywords: evidence-based medicine; medical research; structured reviews