Systematic Review on Parachutes
Reference:Smith GC, Pell JP. Parachute use to prevent death and major trauma related to gravitational challenge: systematic review of randomised controlled trials. BMJ. 2003 Dec 20;327(7429):1459-61.
After discussing several systematic reviews in this Report I would like to end with my favourite one published in the British Medical Journal.
The aim of this systematic review was to determine whether parachutes were effective in preventing major trauma and death related to skydiving.
After an extensive search the authors were unable to identify any high quality RCTs supporting the use of parachutes. There were no studies that used a randomized control group (i.e. jumping out of a plane with no parachute) and there were no studies using placebo (i.e. jumping out of a plane with a ‘fake’ parachute).
Conclusion: The effectiveness of parachutes has not been subjected to rigorous evaluation by using randomized controlled trials. Evidence-based practice does not support the use of parachutes for skydiving!
…despite the lack of evidence I support the use of parachutes, as no one has disproved parachutes so far!!
Posted on: December 16, 2012
Categories: Relevant Physical Therapy Articles
