This is a presentation on critical appraisal of the SPORT RCT using the Graphic Approach to Epidemiology (GATE). It was presented at the Research Methodology workshop at IOACON 2016, Kochi.
The SPORT study was a large multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing discectomy versus nonoperative care for lumbar disc herniations. The results are analyzed critically here. The study was marred by a high cross-over rate, making interpretation of the results confusing — however, it remains a landmark paper, and great lessons can be learned from critically analyzing it.
I find the GATE framework quite useful for critical appraisal of epidemiological studies. This method was developed by Prof. Rod Jackson from New Zealand.
(Note: original presentation was hosted via SlideShare embed — link may need updating.)