Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40541437›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2025

Effects of microgravity on neuromuscular control of the spine: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Valter Devecchi, Michail Arvanitidis, Deborah Falla

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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.

Valter DevecchiCentre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain, School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Michail ArvanitidisCentre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain, School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Deborah FallaCentre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain, School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK d.falla@bham.ac.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1689-6190

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionAs spaceflight missions become more frequent and prolonged, the effects of microgravity on the musculoskeletal system represent a critical concern for astronauts' health given their increased risk of spinal pain and injury. A better understanding of the adaptations induced by microgravity on neuromuscular control of the spine is essential to guide the development of effective countermeasures. Thus, this systematic review will aim to investigate the effects of microgravity on the neuromuscular control of the spine. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This protocol has been developed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, PubMed, grey literature and specialised space research resources will be searched from inception up to December 31, 2024. Screening processes, data extraction and risk of bias assessment will be conducted by two independent reviewers. Studies investigating the acute and long-term effects of microgravity on neuromuscular control of the spine will be included. Studies investigating spaceflight conditions or other protocols simulating microgravity, such as parabolic flights, dry immersion and long-term bed rest, will be considered eligible. Non-randomised studies of intervention with before-and-after design will represent the main studies of interest, and their risk of bias will be evaluated with the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomised Studies-of Interventions tool. Random-effect meta-analyses will be conducted for quantitative synthesis when clinical and methodological consistency is ensured. The certainty of evidence will be evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation guidelines. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: As this systematic review is based on previously published studies, no ethical approval is required. The findings will be disseminated through publication in an international peer-reviewed journal and presented at conferences. All data relevant to the study will be included in the article or uploaded as supplementary information. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42024608544.

Indexed as

SpineWeightlessnessHumansMeta-Analysis as TopicResearch DesignSpace FlightSystematic Reviews as TopicNEUROPHYSIOLOGYRehabilitation medicineSpine

Identifiers

PMID40541437
PMCPMC12182208

What OpenQuestion holds

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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.