Minimum reporting standards for clinical research on groin pain in athletes

Eamonn Delahunt, Kristian Thorborg, Karim M Khan, Philip Robinson, Per Hölmich, Adam Weir, Eamonn Delahunt, Kristian Thorborg, Karim M Khan, Philip Robinson, Per Hölmich, Adam Weir

Abstract

Groin pain in athletes is a priority area for sports physiotherapy and sports medicine research. Heterogeneous studies with low methodological quality dominate research related to groin pain in athletes. Low-quality studies undermine the external validity of research findings and limit the ability to generalise findings to the target patient population. Minimum reporting standards for research on groin pain in athletes are overdue. We propose a set of minimum reporting standards based on best available evidence to be utilised in future research on groin pain in athletes. Minimum reporting standards are provided in relation to: (1) study methodology, (2) study participants and injury history, (3) clinical examination, (4) clinical assessment and (5) radiology. Adherence to these minimum reporting standards will strengthen the quality and transparency of research conducted on groin pain in athletes. This will allow an easier comparison of outcomes across studies in the future.

Keywords: Groin; Research.

Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Considerations for the design and reporting of studies on groin pain in athletes. CONSORT, Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials; RCT, randomised controlled trial; STROBE, Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology; SPIRIT, Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Intervention Trials; TIDieR, Template for Intervention Description and Replication; TREND, Transparent Reporting of Evaluations with Non-randomised Designs.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Considerations for the reporting on participants and injury history in studies on groin pain in athletes.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Considerations for the reporting on clinical examination in studies on groin pain in athletes.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Considerations for the reporting on clinical assessment in studies on groin pain in athletes. ROM, range of motion.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Considerations for the reporting on radiology in studies on groin pain in athletes.

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