Evaluating Intervention Reporting in Nursing Journal RCTs Using the TIDieR Checklist: A Cross-Sectional Study

Aim

To assess the completeness of intervention reporting in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published in nursing journals based on the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) checklist.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Methods

RCTs published in English in nursing journals between January 2022 and December 2022 were identified through PubMed. Title- and abstract-screening were undertaken independently by two reviewers to select eligible trials, from which data were extracted. Reports of interventions were likewise independently evaluated based on the TIDieR checklist. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate potential predictors for the compliance of TIDieR.

Results

Our analysis included 303 eligible trials, which generally adhered to most items on the TIDieR checklist, though adherence varied across the trials. Slightly fewer than half of the trials demonstrated good reporting quality. Poor reporting was associated in areas such as modifications, tailoring, and the type of locations where the intervention occurred. Additionally, suboptimal reporting on intervention adherence was noted. Compliance with TIDieR was found to be influenced by factors such as funding availability and the journal's ranking.

Conclusions

Our study revealed suboptimal reporting of the TIDieR items in RCTs published in nursing journals. More rigorous adherence to the TIDieR checklist is needed to improve the quality of intervention reporting. Additionally, comparing adherence before and after the implementation of TIDieR may be considered in future investigations.

Impact

This paper represents the first study to appraise the reporting quality of RCTs in nursing journals based on the TIDieR checklist. Evidence of suboptimal compliance of RCTs to the TIDieR checklist items is presented.

Patient or Public Contributions

No patient or public contribution applied.