Assessing the Validity and Transparency of “usual Care” Arms in Randomized Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Trials: A Systematic Review

Thursday, October 30, 2025

10:45 AM - 11:00 AM

Location: ROOM: Private Dining Room #4 >>> DIRECTIONS Third Floor >>> From the Main Elevator Bank, take the elevator to the 3rd Floor. Turn left and walk past Astoria and turn left into the corridor. PDR #4 is at the end of the hallway.

Presenting Author(s)

Hailey M. McNeill

Undergraduate Student
Central Washington University
Yakima, WA, United States

Slides Slides

Non-presenting Author(s)

ME

Mark R. Elkins

Clinical Associate Professor
The University of Sydney
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Ryan M. Galindo

Senior Lecturer
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, Washington, United States
IR

Italo M. Ribeiro Lemes

Assistant Professor
São Paulo State University and Faculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert Einstein
Ellensburg, Washington, United States
BW

Bo Warner

Undergraduate Studnet
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, Washington, United States
JC

Jacob Crumb

Undergraduate Student
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, United States
NH

Nathan Herde

Graduate Student
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, United States
KR

Karen Roemer

Professor
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, Washington, United States
EG

Ethan Q. Grant

Undergraduate Studnet
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, Washington, United States
MR

Marceli Rocha Leite

Professor
University of Western São Paulo
Ellensburg, Washington, United States
FL

Francis Lopes Pacagnelli

Professor
University of Western São Paulo
Ellensburg, United States
RZ

Rafael Zambelli Pinto

Research Associate
University of New South Wales
Sydney, Australia
Ana Paula Freire, PhD

Associate Professor
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, Washington, United States

This study aims to systematically identify and characterize the most common types of 'usual care' interventions reported in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Additionally, seeks to evaluate the comprehensiveness and quality of reporting of usual care treatments, as well as the extent to which these interventions incorporate components recommended by COPD clinical guidelines. A secondary objective is to examine whether country-level socioeconomic status, geographic region, and funding source are associated with variations in the reporting quality or validation of usual care interventions.

Learning Objectives:

Describe the common definitions and reporting practices for “usual care” control arms in COPD randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
Evaluate the methodological implications of poorly defined or non-transparent “usual care” arms on the validity and reproducibility of COPD trial outcomes.
Apply key recommendations for improving transparency and standardization in the reporting of usual care interventions in future COPD and rehabilitation research.