Working Group
WG 1
Implementation and Development of Standards from Evidence-based Medicine (EBM)
Description
WG1 relates to PA and exercise interventions. In order to achieve RCO 4, RCO 5 and RCO 6, WG 1 will review the material and tools from EBM (considered as an umbrella term). It is expected that some tools will be adopted and promoted without change, while others will have to be carefully modified in order to adapt to PA interventions. The concept of evaluating evidence levels will be applied to a reference database, possibly without modification. It should be noted, that exercise interventions are sometimes more complex than drugs therapy, in terms of the subject’s behaviour. Thus, a framework of evidence-based standards should be created in a detailed manner to fit the complexity of exercise standards and behaviour.
Objectives
The purpose of WG1 is to establish research standards and tools for recruitment and sampling, data management, and reporting of interventional studies, based on standards from EBM. Therefor this workgroup aims to develop a toolbox with suggested guidelines, checklists and metadata for the integration of EBM. Consequently, WG1 will conduct systematic review(s), opinion papers, consensus reports and roadmaps on EBM for physical activity interventions.
The WG1 objectives can be structured in the following research coordination objectives (RCO):
1. RCO 4 Compile a database of literature references involving technology-assisted PA interventions, utilizing evidence levels and reach/generalisation according to EBM standards.
This database will characterise the body of knowledge in the field. For example: in order to provide recommendations for strength development, which intervention types for what target groups have been studied, and what are the evidence-based recommendations? This tool will enable reviewing the state of the art, identifying further research steps (e.g., increasing the evidence level by adding higher level studies), as well as designing intervention programmes (ICT) and clearly reporting on them (EBR).
Achievement: KPIs are # of target groups with evaluation completed (3) (D1.1).
2. RCO 5 Assess status and needs, and provide a roadmap for adopting useful tools and stan- dards from EBM resources for technology-assisted PA interventions.
Resource from EBM will play an important role in the network. Based on the database (RCO 4), there are concepts and tools that can be directly adopted (e.g,. reporting guidelines for RCTs or systematic reviews). Others, may have to be modified and adapted for technology-assisted PA interventions. The roadmap will support research excellence and thus meet EBR. It will guide further work of the network within the COST Action and afterwards (NET).
Achievement: guidelines/roadmap submitted for publication (D1.5).
3. RCO 6 Develop a description tool for interventions based on EBM standards.
Volume, intensity, repetitions, exercise frequency and other features of exercise interventions will be meticulously described (CRI). Thus, comparability and replicability will improve, and assessment methods will be easily derived (EBR). The tool will be established in research, education, and interventions planning (NET).
Achievement: KPIs are # of papers submitted using the tool, # of training schools adopting this tool, # of curriculums of postgraduate study programmes teaching the tool (total number = 5) (D.1.4).
Tasks
- T1.1 Reviewing the EBM concepts and material for examining the usefulness of these concepts for PhysAgeNet’s topics. Compiling a toolbox with EBM guidelines, checklists, and frameworks which may be applied directly or need to be modified for use in the area of PA in old age.
- T1.2 Collecting projects and publications on technology-assisted PA interventions, categorising partici- pant groups and intervention types (e.g., resistance training, exercise groups, everyday activity)
- T1.3 Rating of evidence level (referring to the EBM conception) and the generalisability of results (for the various target groups) and compiling a literature review for demonstrating the usefulness of the database.
- T1.4 Developing a descriptive tool for interventions (e.g. intensity, volume, frequency of exercise /ac- tivity, practical aspects) and training material, according to EBM standards
- T1.5 Pointing out issues for improving research (parallel to T2.3) material, collecting them and forming guidelines and a roadmap using a formal consensus process.
Deliverables
- D1.1 Database with references and metadata related to PA interventions and based on EBM. (Collec- tion update after two years), Complete coverage of EU funded research. Updated versions of the ref- erence database includes evaluation results (one category or target groups per year with evidence level and generalisation options) (RCO 4)
- D1.2 Systematic review using the database D1.1 related to PA interventions and EBM, submitted for publication (RCO 4).
- D1.3 Description tool for PA and exercise interventions, based on EBM standards (RCO 6).
- D1.4 Curriculum for teaching students and young scientists on the description tool (RCO 6)
- D1.5 Consensus paper and roadmap on EBM for PA interventions submitted for publication (RCO 5)