Clinical Trial Registry: An essential requirement for physical therapy and health researchers in Pakistan

Abstract

Clinical trial registry is a free, open access platform which registers clinical trials, often done prospectively, minimizing the risk of selective reporting, publication bias and replication of trials, as well as allowing individuals to participate in the study. A prospective clinical trial registration has been made mandatory by International Committee of Medical Journals Editors (ICMJE), FDA US, World Medical Association (WMA) and International Society of Physical Therapy Journal Editors (ISPJE), followed by a steep increase in the number of registered trials, emphasizing the need and importance of clinical trial registration. Unfortunately, 100% lack of registration of physical therapy articles published recently in Pakistan is due to the unavailability of local registry and laws requiring trial registration. Meanwhile, Pakistani researchers can register their trials at "clinicaltrials.gov" which is a service provided by the U.S. National Institute of Health. Nonetheless, it is very important to create a publicly accessible clinical trial registry and increase awareness regarding clinical trial registration in Pakistan.

Keywords: Clinical trial registry, Research, Publication ethics, Pakistan, History, Physical therapy, Health...