Dosage of preventive or therapeutic exercise interventions: review of published randomized controlled trials and survey of authors

Publication date: Available online 30 April 2017
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): Marion Gallois, Thomas Davergne, Pauline Ledinot, Philippe Ravaud, Jean-Philippe Regnaux
ObjectiveTo describe the dose components and choice justifications in exercise interventions (EIs) in a convenient sample of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).Data SourcesWe searched the following databases: PubMed and CENTRAL in 2014.Study SelectionWe included published RCTs evaluating preventive or therapeutic interventions in people with clinical conditions or at risk to develop health problems.Data ExtractionTwo reviewers independently extracted data and evaluated the adequacy of the justifications. We contacted and invited the trials authors to complete an online survey to ask for additional information on dose justifications and dose–effect relationship.Data SynthesisWe included 187 published RCTs. Of these, 68 (36%) reported a justification for the dose choice, 135 (72%) reported three doses components. Most reported components were duration (96%) and frequency (93%). Sixty-six survey responders (response rate 35%) provided additional information. When combining the publications and survey responses, 104 (56%) trials had a justification for the dose choice. We judged justifications adequate in 45 (43%) articles. From the survey responders, 39% indicated that intensity was the dose component that can have the greatest impact on their study results.ConclusionsMost of the published RCTs adequately reported the dose components of their EIs but only a small number provided sufficient justifications for dosage choices. Further studies are recommended to justify the EI dose choices.



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