Table 1

Level of evidence for evaluating the efficacy of exercise therapy in the management of osteoarthritis of the hip

Level of evidence

Definition

Strong evidence

Generally consistent findings in multiple trials of high quality (QS = 21)

Moderate evidence

Findings in one high-quality study and one other medium-quality trial or by generally consistent findings in multiple trials of medium quality

Some evidence

Generally consistent findings in at least one trial of medium quality (QS > 13), and/or consistent findings in multiple low-quality trials

Insufficient evidence

Findings from one low-quality trial or generally inconsistent findings in multiple trials

QS = Quality rating.

McNair et al. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2009 11:R98   doi:10.1186/ar2743