Reporting guidelines for music-based interventions: An update and validation study

Area of Science:

• Health Research
• Intervention Science
• Psychology

Background:

• Detailed reporting of music-based interventions (MBIs) is crucial for research interpretation, replication, and translation.
• Existing 2011 Reporting Guidelines for Music-Based Interventions (RG-MBI) aimed to enhance transparency but persistent reporting quality issues necessitate an update.

Purpose of the Study:

• To update and validate the 2011 RG-MBI using a rigorous Delphi approach with an interdisciplinary MBI research group.
• To develop an explanation and elaboration guidance document to support the dissemination and utilization of the updated guidelines.

Main Methods:

• Followed the EQUATOR Network's methodological framework for developing health research reporting guidelines.
• Employed a three-stage process: initial field scan, consensus-building via Delphi surveys and Expert Panel meetings, and development of an explanation/elaboration document.

Main Results:

• Initial surveys indicated that original checklist items captured essential MBI reporting content, but highlighted issues with item wording and terminology.
• Expert Panel meetings and a second Delphi survey focused on achieving consensus on item language.
• The revised RG-MBI checklist comprises 12 items across eight intervention components: name, rationale, content, interventionist, participant characteristics, setting, schedule, and fidelity.

Conclusions:

• The updated RG-MBI guidelines are recommended for authors, editors, and reviewers to enhance the scientific rigor of MBI research.
• Integration of RG-MBI guidelines with methods-based guidelines (e.g., CONSORT) is advised for improved MBI study reporting.