Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39299787›Full record

ArticleJournal of advanced nursing2025

Understanding Network Meta-Analysis: A Practical Introduction for Nurses.

Amir Masoud Sharifnia, Erik Biros, Michelle Cleary

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of advanced nursing, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Amir Masoud SharifniaStudent Research Committee, Khomein University of Medical Sciences, Khomein, Iran.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0874-5763
Erik BirosCollege of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1154-5367
Michelle ClearySchool of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Sciences, Central Queensland University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1453-4850

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimsThis paper examines network meta-analysis (NMA) as a methodological advancement in nursing research and discusses considerations for interpreting and applying NMA results in clinical practice. DESIGN AND

methodsMethodological discussion.

resultsThe NMA method simultaneously evaluates multiple interventions by combining direct and indirect evidence. The publication of NMA articles in nursing journals has been increasing. However, interpreting NMA results can be complex and challenging. In this paper, we outline the prerequisites and assumptions of NMA, provide a graphical representation, discuss effect estimation and quality of evidence and give an overview of applying NMA results in clinical practice.

conclusionNMA is a valuable analytical approach in nursing research that can provide high-level evidence to guide clinical decision-making. Accurate interpretation of NMA findings is necessary to inform clinical practice. This paper serves as an introduction to NMA for nurses unfamiliar with the approach. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION: NMA is a powerful statistical technique for assessing the relative effectiveness of different nursing interventions and informing evidence-based nursing guidelines. When interpreting the results, nurses should consider the certainty of evidence and the practical value of the results and be cautious of misleading conclusions. IMPACT: NMA is a recent analytical method in nursing research. This practical introduction seeks to enhance comprehension of NMA and the interpretation and application of NMA findings in clinical practice. NMA is a robust statistical technique to assess the relative effectiveness of various nursing interventions. REPORTING

methodIn the methodological discussion guide, no new data was generated. A hypothetical dataset was used. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This methodological paper contributes to understanding NMA and interpreting its results, integrating it into clinical practice, and improving patient outcomes.

Indexed as

Evidence-Based NursingNetwork Meta-Analysis as TopicNursing ResearchHumansResearch Designevidence‐based practiceindirect comparisonsnetwork meta‐analysisnursing research

Identifiers

PMID39299787
PMCPMC12271649

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.