Psychological interventions for rheumatoid arthritis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

CRD COMMENTARY:

The aims were stated and the inclusion criteria were defined in terms of the participants, interventions and study designs. The outcomes were not defined a priori but were determined after reviewing the included studies. The search was adequate; several potential sources were searched but the methods used to select the studies were not described. In addition, publication bias and reporting bias were assessed. However, the exclusion of non-English language studies may have resulted in the omission of other relevant studies. Validity was assessed and scored using a validated scale, and the results were reported. Relevant data were extracted and tabulated, and details of the methods used to extract the data were reported. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed and the data were combined, appropriately, in a meta-analysis. Sensitivity analyses were undertaken to examine the influence of study quality on the results. The influence of illness duration and type of control group was also explored.
The evidence presented supports the authors' conclusions.