A recent study comparing low back pain systematic review abstracts to their full text was published in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. Looking at 66 systematic reviews reserchers found that 80% of abstracts presented spin and inconsistencies when compared to their full text. Nine of the systematic reviews investigated were Cochrane Reviews and it was found that "Cochrane review abstracts had substantial to almost perfect agreement with the full text."
Back pain systematic reviews are overseen by Cochrane Back and Neck (CBN). CBN coordinates the publication of literature reviews of diagnosis, primary and secondary prevention and treatment of neck and back pain and other spinal disorders, excluding inflammatory diseases and fractures. CBN is hosted by the Institute for Work & Health (IWH) in Toronto, Canada. IWH is an independent, not-for-profit organization. Its mission is to conduct and share research that protects and improves the health of working people and is valued by policy-makers, workers, workplaces, clinicians, and health & safety professionals.
