Core outcome sets developed for research relevant to physiotherapy interventions: a systematic review
Abstract
Background: A core outcome set (COS) is an agreed standard set of outcomes that should be measured and reported as a minimum in all clinical trials in specific areas of health or healthcare. COS could help address outcome heterogeneity across studies and lack of consideration of what matters to patients. This study aimed to identify all COS developed for research relevant to physiotherapy interventions, evaluate whether their development met minimum standards, and classify the recommended outcomes to provide a reference point for future comparisons.
Methods: The Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) database was searched to identify relevant published and ongoing COS related to physiotherapy interventions. Two investigators independently screened the articles for inclusion, followed by independent data extraction of included COS and evaluation of the COS according to the Core Outcome Set-STAndards for Development (COS-STAD). For each included COS, the core outcomes were categorised using the COMET taxonomy.
Results: The scope of the COS was specified in all the included studies ( N = 31), with most COS applicable to rheumatological conditions and physical rehabilitation interventions. Around 40% ( n = 13) were developed with participation from more than one region of the world. Patients participated in the development process in two thirds of COS studies ( n = 21, 68%) with health care professionals participating in almost all included studies ( n = 30, 97%). Aspects of the consensus process were decided a priori in 26% ( n = 8, for consensus definition and criteria for including, dropping, or adding outcomes) and 32% ( n = 10, for scoring process) of studies. All COS included at least one life impact outcome, and emotional functioning outcomes were more prominent in COS that included patient input.
Conclusion: This review highlights the need for improvement in the development of COS, particularly in relation to increasing global involvement, patient participation, and reporting of the consensus process during COS development.
Trial registration: PROSPERO CRD42025620018. Registered on 21 January 2025.
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BibTeX
@article{thinagaran2026core,
title = {{Core outcome sets developed for research relevant to physiotherapy interventions: a systematic review}},
author = {Lenny Vasanthan Thinagaran and Sarah L. Gorst and Susanna Dodd and Fiona Dobson and Bronwen Connolly and Paula R. Williamson},
journal = {Trials},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1186/s13063-026-10065-2},
url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13063-026-10065-2},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Core outcome sets developed for research relevant to physiotherapy interventions: a systematic review
AU - Lenny Vasanthan Thinagaran
AU - Sarah L. Gorst
AU - Susanna Dodd
AU - Fiona Dobson
AU - Bronwen Connolly
AU - Paula R. Williamson
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/04
JO - Trials
DO - 10.1186/s13063-026-10065-2
UR - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13063-026-10065-2
AB - Background: A core outcome set (COS) is an agreed standard set of outcomes that should be measured and reported as a minimum in all clinical trials in specific areas of health or healthcare. COS could help address outcome heterogeneity across studies and lack of consideration of what matters to patients. This study aimed to identify all COS developed for research relevant to physiotherapy interventions, evaluate whether their development met minimum standards, and classify the recommended outcomes to provide a reference point for future comparisons. Methods: The Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) database was searched to identify relevant published and ongoing COS related to physiotherapy interventions. Two investigators independently screened the articles for inclusion, followed by independent data extraction of included COS and evaluation of the COS according to the Core Outcome Set-STAndards for Development (COS-STAD). For each included COS, the core outcomes were categorised using the COMET taxonomy. Results: The scope of the COS was specified in all the included studies ( N = 31), with most COS applicable to rheumatological conditions and physical rehabilitation interventions. Around 40% ( n = 13) were developed with participation from more than one region of the world. Patients participated in the development process in two thirds of COS studies ( n = 21, 68%) with health care professionals participating in almost all included studies ( n = 30, 97%). Aspects of the consensus process were decided a priori in 26% ( n = 8, for consensus definition and criteria for including, dropping, or adding outcomes) and 32% ( n = 10, for scoring process) of studies. All COS included at least one life impact outcome, and emotional functioning outcomes were more prominent in COS that included patient input. Conclusion: This review highlights the need for improvement in the development of COS, particularly in relation to increasing global involvement, patient participation, and reporting of the consensus process during COS development. Trial registration: PROSPERO CRD42025620018. Registered on 21 January 2025.
SN - 1745-6215
ER -