You may find some scientific articles that are original or primary research articles. A primary research article reports on an empirical research study conducted by the authors themselves. Other articles may be review articles. A review article is a survey of previously published research on a topic. It should give an overview of current thinking on the topic. And, unlike an original research article, it will not present new experimental results.
Clues in an abstract that indicate an article is primary research: Look for an active statement from the authors that they conducted a research study. Look for a research question or hypothesis, methods, and new results.
Clues in an abstract that indicate an article is secondary research or a review article: May mention conclusions based on research from many other studies. Look for keywords such as secondary data, meta-analysis, literature review, number of articles reviewed and from what sources.
What are key terms or phrases in the abstract below that would help a reader to determine that this is a secondary research article?
While yoga seems to be effective in a number of neuropsychiatric disorders, the evidence of efficacy in multiple sclerosis remains unclear. The aim of this review was to systematically assess and meta-analyze the available data on efficacy and safety of yoga in patients with multiple sclerosis. Medline/PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PsycINFO, CAM-Quest, CAMbase, and IndMED were searched through March 2014. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of yoga for patients with multiple sclerosis were included if they assessed health-related quality of life, fatigue, and/or mobility. Mood, cognitive function, and safety were defined as secondary outcome measures. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane tool. Seven RCTs with a total of 670 patients were included. Evidence for short-term effects of yoga compared to usual care were found for fatigue (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.52; 95% confidence intervals (CI) = -1.02 to -0.02; p = 0.04; heterogeneity: I.sup.2 = 60%; Chi.sup.2 = 7.43; p = 0.06) and mood (SMD = -0.55; 95%CI = -0.96 to -0.13; p = 0.01; heterogeneity: I.sup.2 = 0%; Chi.sup.2 = 1.25; p = 0.53), but not for health-related quality of life, muscle function, or cognitive function. The effects on fatigue and mood were not robust against bias. No short-term or longer term effects of yoga compared to exercise were found. Yoga was not associated with serious adverse events. In conclusion, since no methodological sound evidence was found, no recommendation can be made regarding yoga as a routine intervention for patients with multiple sclerosis. Yoga might be considered a treatment option for patients who are not adherent to recommended exercise regimens.
What are key terms or phrases in the abstract below that would help a reader determine that this is a primary research article?
Background: Yoga originated in the territory of modern India more than 3,000 years ago uses techniques for working with the musculoskeletal system, cardiorespiratory system, and attention. Currently, the effectiveness and safety of yoga in patients with various neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS), is of interest to many scientists and clinicians. Purpose: The main aim of this study is to examine the effect of yoga on symptoms and quality of life in patients with MS vs physical therapy (exercise therapy) and no exercise. Methods: The patients were randomly assigned to three groups (yoga, physical therapy (PT), or waiting list). After 12 weeks of regular exercises (or the absence of them), the effect of yoga and PT on the functional status and quality of life of patients were evaluated. The data were collected during the patients' two visits to the study center – before the start of the study and at the end of the 12-week period. The in-person examination included a doctor's assessment of the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire, the fatigue scale, the Berg balance scale, and the 6-min walking test. Results: A total of 36 patients finished the clinical study: thirty women and six men. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of improvement in MS symptoms as measured by the balance, walking test, and fatigue scales. However, in the analysis of eight criteria of SF-36 quality-of-life questionnaire by the covariation analysis, statistically significant differences were found in favor of the yoga group in terms of physical functioning (PF) (p =.003), life activity (VT) (p <.001), mental health (MH) (p = 013), and social functioning (SF) (p =.028). Conclusion: Thus, regular yoga classes under the guidance of qualified staff are a promising method of non-drug rehabilitation of patients with MS with motor disorders.