COCHRANE ROB 2 · 偏誤風險評讀
VAS 足底疼痛(1年)
← 回到「足底筋膜炎」的圖表
總體判斷 OVERALL?Some concerns(有些疑慮)
Domain 與 overall 判斷由程式依 Cochrane RoB 2 官方演算法計算;AI 只負責回答下方各訊號問題。符號:+ 低風險、? 有些疑慮、- 高風險(不只靠顏色)。
風險偏誤紅綠燈
- +Domain 1 隨機化過程:Low(低風險)
- +Domain 2 偏離預定介入:Low(低風險)
- +Domain 3 缺失結局資料:Low(低風險)
- ?Domain 4 結局測量:Some concerns(有些疑慮)
- ?Domain 5 選擇性報告:Some concerns(有些疑慮)
- ?總體(Overall):Some concerns(有些疑慮)
中文摘要(給一般讀者)
這篇論文的偏誤風險與 limitation
本研究為平行組單盲隨機臨床試驗(乾針 vs 類固醇注射治療足底筋膜炎),主要結局為病人自填 VAS 足底疼痛(1 年追蹤終點乾針 0.69 vs 類固醇 2.09,P=0.004)。隨機化面向:採 Excel 區塊隨機化(1.1 Y)、分配由未涉照護的協調員與盲化統計顧問於研究前執行、隱匿性大致可信但未詳述機制(1.2 PY),基線無失衡(1.3 N),偏誤風險低。偏離介入(效果=指派/ITT):兩種操作差異大、施治者必然知情(2.2 Y)、病患實務上很可能知情(2.1 PY),但未見因試驗情境而生的偏離(2.3 PN),分析屬排除缺失資料的 mITT、依原組別分析(2.6 PY),風險低至中。缺失資料:66/70(94.3%)有資料、缺失僅 4 人且 1 年組間差異大(3.1 PY),惟缺失原因未詳、可能與疼痛狀態有關(3.3 PY)但人數極少不足以判定很可能取決真值(3.4 PN),整體偏低。結局測量:VAS 為適當工具(4.1 N)、兩組測量一致(4.2 PN),但屬未盲病患的主觀自陳疼痛、評估者即病患且可能知情(4.3 PY、4.4 PY),本篇最主要的偏誤來源在此域——雖兩組皆為病患期待有效的積極針具介入、未見明顯差異信念故判 4.5 PN(Some concerns),仍應注意主觀結局在未成功盲化下的高估風險。選擇性報告:回溯性註冊、無法確認分析計畫事前定案(5.1 NI),但單一結局單一量表、各時間點結果完整呈現(5.2、5.3 PN)。整體而言,本結局的偏誤傾向為中等(some concerns),主要受限於主觀病人自陳結局在未盲設計下的測量偏誤,以及回溯性註冊無法佐證事前分析計畫。
詳細評讀(給專業讀者)
Domain 1:隨機化過程 — 判斷:Low
偏誤來源:隨機分組的過程——分配序列是否隨機產生、是否隱蔽到分組為止、基線(第一期開始時)是否平衡。
1.1 Was the allocation sequence random?
分配序列是否隨機產生?
- 回答:是(Yes — 有明確證據支持)
- 原文引述:Each number was randomly assigned to one group (steroid or dry needling) before study initiation. Computer software (Excel 2010; Microsoft, Redmond, WA, USA) was used for this blocked randomisation.每個號碼在研究開始前被隨機分配到一組(類固醇或乾針)。使用電腦軟體(Excel 2010)進行此區塊隨機化。
- 理由:採電腦(Excel)產生的區塊隨機化,序列產生含隨機成分,屬適當的隨機化方法,故答 Y。
1.2 Was the allocation sequence concealed until participants were enrolled and assigned to interventions?
分配是否隱蔽到分組為止?
- 回答:可能是(Probably yes — 綜合判斷後傾向「是」)
- 原文引述:A study co-ordinator uninvolved in treatment or patient care assigned eligible patients a number from 0 to 70 in order of their admission to the clinic. Each number was randomly assigned to one group ... before study initiation. Participants were randomly assigned by the research's statistical consultant who was blindwd to the treatment of each group.一位未參與治療或病患照護的研究協調員,依病患到院順序給予 0 到 70 的號碼;每個號碼在研究開始前已被隨機分配到某一組。受試者由對各組治療盲化的研究統計顧問進行分配。
- 理由:分配序列於研究開始前即決定、由未參與照護的協調員依到院順序給號、統計顧問對組別盲化,顯示分配由獨立且不涉照護的人員執行,隱匿性大致可信;惟未明確描述隱匿機制(如中央化、密封信封)且屬區塊隨機化有理論上可預測風險,故給判斷值 PY 而非 Y。
1.3 Did baseline differences between intervention groups suggest a problem with the randomization process?
(第一期開始時)基線差異是否暗示隨機化有問題?
- 回答:否(No — 有明確證據支持)
- 原文引述:Mean VAS score before treatment was 6.96 ± 0.87 for the steroid group and 6.41 ± 0.83 for the dry-needling group (P value = 0.54). ... Mean age was 39.84 ± 7.96 in the dry-needling group and 42.03 ± 10.30 in the steroid group ... no statistically significant difference.治療前平均 VAS 為類固醇組 6.96 ± 0.87、乾針組 6.41 ± 0.83(P = 0.54)。年齡乾針組 39.84 ± 7.96、類固醇組 42.03 ± 10.30,無統計顯著差異。
- 理由:基線 VAS 疼痛(結局變數的基線值)、年齡、性別兩組皆無顯著差異,未見暗示隨機化出問題的失衡,故答 N。
Domain 2:偏離預定介入 — 判斷:Low
偏誤來源:實際執行時偏離預定的介入——盲性如何、是否依「隨機分到的組別」分析(ITT)。
2.1 Were participants aware of their assigned intervention during the trial?
參與者是否(在每一期)知道自己的分組?
- 回答:可能是(Probably yes — 綜合判斷後傾向「是」)
- 原文引述:This study was a single-blind, randomised clinical trial in which all patients (if possible) and persons who recorded measurements and statistics were blinded. ... In the first (steroid) group, 1 ml of methylprednisolone acetate ... was injected ... In the dry-needling group, patients received dry needling ... that was gradually withdrawn and advanced for 30 seconds.本研究為單盲隨機臨床試驗,「盡可能」讓所有病患以及記錄測量與統計者盲化。類固醇組注射 1 毫升 methylprednisolone acetate;乾針組接受針具反覆進退 30 秒的乾針。
- 理由:作者僅稱單盲、且病患盲化限於「若可能」。兩種介入操作明顯不同(快速注射並立即拔針 vs 針具反覆進退 30 秒),且知情同意時已告知兩種治療方式,病患實務上極可能察覺自己接受何種治療,故答 PY(受試者可能知情)。
2.2 Were carers and people delivering the interventions aware of participants' assigned intervention during the trial?
照護/執行者是否(在每一期)知道分組?
- 回答:是(Yes — 有明確證據支持)
- 原文引述:In the first (steroid) group, 1 ml of methylprednisolone acetate ... was injected into the intended site using a 2-ml syringe. ... In the dry-needling group, patients received dry needling of intended sites ... for 30 seconds.類固醇組以 2 毫升注射器將 1 毫升 methylprednisolone acetate 注入目標部位;乾針組於目標部位施行 30 秒乾針。
- 理由:施治者必然知道自己是在注射類固醇或施行乾針(兩種操作完全不同、無法對施治者盲化),故照顧者/施治者確定知情,答 Y。
2.3 Were there deviations from the intended intervention that arose because of the trial context?
是否因試驗情境造成偏離?
- 回答:可能否(Probably no — 綜合判斷後傾向「否」)
- 原文引述:Allocated to intervention (n=35) · Received allocated intervention (n=35) · Did not receive allocated intervention (n=0) [both groups, CONSORT flow]. Patients had previously received conservative treatment only.兩組皆為:分配到介入 35 人、接受所分配介入 35 人、未接受所分配介入 0 人(CONSORT 流程圖)。病患先前僅接受過保守治療。
- 理由:兩組所有受試者皆接受其被分配的介入(未接受者 0 人),未見因試驗情境而生的協定外介入或未落實協定的偏離,故答 PN。
2.4 Were these deviations likely to have affected the outcome?
這些偏離是否可能影響結局?
- 回答:不需評估(NA)
- 原因:條件題:依 2.3 的答案,本題依 RoB 2 官方路由不需評估(NA)。
2.5 Were these deviations from intended intervention balanced between groups?
這些偏離在兩組間是否平衡?
- 回答:不需評估(NA)
- 原因:條件題:依 2.4 的答案,本題依 RoB 2 官方路由不需評估(NA)。
2.6 Was an appropriate analysis used to estimate the effect of assignment to intervention?
是否用了適當分析(ITT)?
- 回答:可能是(Probably yes — 綜合判斷後傾向「是」)
- 原文引述:another four were excluded during the course of study (one from the steroid group and three from the dry-needling group). Ultimately, there were 32 patients in the dry-needling group and 34 in the steroid group. ... Lost to follow-up ... Discontinued intervention [CONSORT].研究過程中另有四人被排除(類固醇組 1 人、乾針組 3 人),最終乾針組 32 人、類固醇組 34 人;排除原因為失去追蹤/中斷介入。
- 理由:被排除的 4 人係因失去追蹤/中斷介入而無結局資料,其餘受試者仍依原分配組別分析、未見依實際接受治療重新分組的 as-treated 分析。排除缺失結局資料者屬 mITT,官方指引明訂 mITT 對本 domain 視為適當分析(缺失資料的偏誤另於 Domain 3 評估),故答 PY。
2.7 Was there potential for a substantial impact (on the result) of the failure to analyse participants in the group to which they were randomized?
未依隨機分組分析,是否可能對結果造成重大影響?
- 回答:不需評估(NA)
- 原因:條件題:依 2.6 的答案,本題依 RoB 2 官方路由不需評估(NA)。
Domain 3:缺失結局資料 — 判斷:Low
偏誤來源:結局資料缺失——是否幾乎所有人都有資料、缺失是否可能與病情(結局真實值)相關。
3.1 Were data for this outcome available for all, or nearly all, participants randomized?
是否幾乎所有受試者都有此結局的資料?
- 回答:可能是(Probably yes — 綜合判斷後傾向「是」)
- 原文引述:Ultimately, there were 32 patients in the dry-needling group and 34 in the steroid group (Fig. 2). ... Randomized (n= 70).最終乾針組 32 人、類固醇組 34 人(隨機化共 70 人)。
- 理由:66/70(約 94.3%)有結局資料、缺失僅 4 人。連續型結局下有近 95% 資料通常足夠;且 1 年終點組間差異達 1.4 分(大效果),4 人不論結果如何都難以推翻結論,故視為「幾乎所有受試者都有結局資料」,答 PY。
3.2 Is there evidence that the result was not biased by missing outcome data?
是否有證據顯示結果未受缺失資料偏誤?
- 回答:不需評估(NA)
- 原因:條件題:依 3.1 的答案,本題依 RoB 2 官方路由不需評估(NA)。
3.3 Could missingness in the outcome depend on its true value?
缺失是否可能取決於結局真實值?
- 回答:不需評估(NA)
- 原因:條件題:依 3.2 的答案,本題依 RoB 2 官方路由不需評估(NA)。
3.4 Is it likely that missingness in the outcome depended on its true value?
缺失是否很可能取決於結局真實值?
- 回答:不需評估(NA)
- 原因:條件題:依 3.3 的答案,本題依 RoB 2 官方路由不需評估(NA)。
Domain 4:結局測量 — 判斷:Some concerns
偏誤來源:結局的測量——測量工具是否恰當、評估者是否盲化、評估是否可能受分組知情影響。
4.1 Was the method of measuring the outcome inappropriate?
結局測量方法是否不適當?
- 回答:否(No — 有明確證據支持)
- 原文引述:Participants were asked to evaluate their overall perception of plantar pain intensity on the visual analogue scale (VAS) (0 no pain; 10 maximum pain experienced) ... The reliability of a linear analogue for evaluating pain [ref 22].受試者以視覺類比量表(VAS,0=無痛、10=最痛)評估其整體足底疼痛強度;並引用線性類比量表評估疼痛信度之文獻。
- 理由:VAS 是評估疼痛強度公認且經信度驗證的適當工具,對可能的介入效果具敏感度,測量方法並不不當,故答 N。
4.2 Could measurement or ascertainment of the outcome have differed between intervention groups?
(每一序列內)結局測量是否可能因介入而異?
- 回答:可能否(Probably no — 綜合判斷後傾向「否」)
- 原文引述:Participants were asked to evaluate their overall perception of plantar pain intensity on the visual analogue scale (VAS) ... before treatment and at each follow-up.受試者於治療前及每次追蹤,皆以 VAS 評估整體足底疼痛強度。
- 理由:兩組使用相同的 VAS、相同評分方式與相同追蹤時間點,未見兩組測量方法或判定有系統性差異,故答 PN。
4.3 Were outcome assessors aware of the intervention received by study participants?
結局評估者是否知道受試者接受的介入?
- 回答:可能是(Probably yes — 綜合判斷後傾向「是」)
- 原文引述:Participants were asked to evaluate their overall perception of plantar pain intensity on the visual analogue scale (VAS). ... all patients (if possible) ... were blinded.受試者自行以 VAS 評估其整體足底疼痛;病患「盡可能」盲化。
- 理由:主要結局為病人自填 VAS 疼痛,屬病患自陳結局,官方指引明訂此時「結局評估者即為受試者」。而受試者實務上極可能知道自己接受注射或乾針(見 2.1),故評估者(病患)可能知情,答 PY。
4.4 Could assessment of the outcome have been influenced by knowledge of intervention received?
結局評估是否可能受介入知情影響?
- 回答:可能是(Probably yes — 綜合判斷後傾向「是」)
- 原文引述:Participants were asked to evaluate their overall perception of plantar pain intensity on the visual analogue scale (VAS).受試者自行以 VAS 評估其整體足底疼痛強度。
- 理由:疼痛屬主觀的病人自陳結局,官方指引明列「對分配介入的知情可能影響病人自陳結局(如疼痛程度)」,故知情有可能影響結局評估,答 PY。
4.5 Is it likely that assessment of the outcome was influenced by knowledge of intervention received?
結局評估是否很可能受介入知情影響?
- 回答:可能否(Probably no — 綜合判斷後傾向「否」)
- 原文引述:Our primary hypothesis was that dry needling is at least as effective as steroid injection with respect to pain relief. ... In the first session, an orthopaedic surgeon gave patients sufficient information about the different treatment methods.主要假設為乾針在止痛上至少與類固醇注射同等有效;首次會談時骨科醫師已給予病患關於不同治療方式的充分資訊。
- 理由:本題區分「知情可能影響(Some concerns)」與「知情很可能影響(High)」。雖為未盲的主觀自陳疼痛,存在真實顧慮,但兩組皆為病患通常期待有效的積極針具介入(無安慰劑組),論文未記載病患對某一組有明顯較強的療效信念,尚不足以判定評估「很可能」被知情左右,故答 PN(歸為 Some concerns,惟殘留顧慮已於摘要指出)。
Domain 5:選擇性報告 — 判斷:Some concerns
偏誤來源:選擇性報告結果——是否依事前訂定的分析計畫分析、有無從多個結果中挑選有利者報告(交叉另含:是否因偵測到殘留而只報第一期)。
5.1 Were the data that produced this result analysed in accordance with a pre-specified analysis plan that was finalized before unblinded outcome data were available for analysis?
是否依事前訂定(取得未盲化資料前定版)的分析計畫分析?
- 回答:資訊不足(No information — 原文未提供足以判斷的資訊)
- 原文引述:We submitted this research project to the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials ... with registration number IRCT2017082029132N4. [conducted from April 2013 to April 2015; Received 17 February 2017]本研究送交伊朗臨床試驗註冊庫,註冊號 IRCT2017082029132N4(研究執行期 2013 年 4 月至 2015 年 4 月,論文於 2017 年 2 月收件)。
- 理由:研究於 2013–2015 執行,但註冊號為 2017 年(回溯性註冊),無可取得的事前試驗計畫可確認統計分析計畫在解盲前即已定案。依指引無法確認分析計畫事前定案時,答 NI。
5.2 Is the numerical result being assessed likely to have been selected, on the basis of the results, from multiple eligible outcome measurements (e.g. scales, definitions, time points) within the outcome domain?
此數值結果是否可能依結果,從多個量表/定義/時間點中選出?
- 回答:可能否(Probably no — 綜合判斷後傾向「否」)
- 原文引述:The primary outcome was pain intensity in the plantar fascia evaluated by one study investigator. There was no secondary outcome in this study.主要結局為由一位研究者評估的足底筋膜疼痛強度;本研究無次要結局。
- 理由:全篇僅單一結局(VAS 疼痛)、單一量表、明確無次要結局,疼痛結果不太可能是從多個量表/定義中挑選而來,故答 PN。
5.3 Is the numerical result being assessed likely to have been selected, on the basis of the results, from multiple eligible analyses of the data?
此數值結果是否可能依結果,從多種分析中選出?
- 回答:可能否(Probably no — 綜合判斷後傾向「否」)
- 原文引述:Table 3 shows means ± standard deviation (SD) of VAS scores before treatment and at each follow-up. ... There were no significant differences between groups at the other time points.表 3 呈現治療前及各追蹤點的 VAS 平均值±標準差;其餘時間點兩組無顯著差異。
- 理由:六個時間點的 VAS 結果(含不顯著者)與短期/長期重複測量分析皆完整呈現於 Table 2、Table 3 與 Fig. 4,未見僅挑選有利分析報告的跡象,故答 PN。