Reporting Guidelines for Music-Based Interventions: An Update and Validation Study: Secondary publication.

Area of Science:

• Music-based interventions (MBIs)
• Health research reporting guidelines
• Scientific rigor in intervention studies

Background:

• Detailed reporting is crucial for music-based interventions (MBIs) to enable interpretation, replication, and translation.
• Existing 2011 guidelines have not fully resolved persistent issues in reporting quality.
• Inadequate reporting hinders scientific advancement and practical application of MBIs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To update and validate the 2011 reporting guidelines for MBIs.
• To develop an explanation and elaboration document for guideline dissemination and usage.
• To improve the transparency and quality of MBI research reporting.

Main Methods:

• Employed a rigorous Delphi approach with an interdisciplinary group of MBI researchers.
• Followed the EQUATOR Network's methodological framework for developing reporting guidelines.
• Utilized a three-stage process: field scan, Delphi surveys (2 rounds), and Expert Panel meetings.

Main Results:

• The original checklist items were deemed essential but required revisions in wording and terminology.
• Consensus was reached on item language through Expert Panel meetings and a second Delphi survey.
• The revised RG-MBI checklist comprises 12 items covering 8 key components of MBIs.

Conclusions:

• Recommends the use of the updated RG-MBI guidelines by authors, editors, and reviewers.
• Advocates for the integration of RG-MBI guidelines with existing methods-based guidelines (e.g., CONSORT).
• Aims to accelerate and enhance the scientific rigor of music-based intervention research.