Research Question: In individuals with multiple sclerosis, does vitamin D supplementation, compared to placebo, result in a reduction in disease progression over a 12-month period?

Select of one of the papers/the clinical trial you have found related to your practicum topic and, following the process outlined in the video lecture, conduct your appraisal. Submit your work as a word document attached to this discussion board, Answer the following questions related to each section of the paper. After you have answered each question, indicate if you conclude the trial is strong enough to include in your review for the practicum.

Title:

1. Does the title clearly communicate the study’s content?
2. Is the title free from sensationalism?

Introduction:

1. Have the authors reviewed relevant background literature?
2. Is the trial original?
3. What clinical question is the trial addressing?
4. Is the clinical question expressed in the PICOT format?

Methods:

1. How specifically are the methods described?
2. Who were the study subjects?
3. How were the recruited?
4. What were the exclusion criteria?
5. How large was the sample size?
6. Was the sample size calculated ahead of time?
7. Was the trial controlled and what was the control?
8. Was the trial randomized and how was randomization performed?
9. Did the trial use allocation concealment?
10. Was the trial blinded?
11. What were the endpoints or outcomes?
12. Were the results analyzed according to intention to treat or per protocol?

Results

1. How good was the randomization?
2. What were the results?
3. What was the dropout rate in each group?
4. Do the figures accurately represent the data?

Discussion: 

1. Do the conclusions follow logically from the results?
2. Do the authors make comparisons to the results of similar studies?
3. Did the authors discuss limitations of the trial.

1. Do the conclusions follow logically from the results?
2. Do the authors make comparisons to the results of similar studies?
3. Did the authors discuss limitations of the trial.