Sally Hopewell

MSc, DPhil

Associate Professor

Theme Lead for Clinical Trials
University Research Lecturer

My key areas of research expertise are in the design, conduct and transparent reporting of randomized trials and systematic reviews. I have published a number of research studies in these areas including the development of key reporting guidelines such as the CONSORT Statement and PRISMA for Abstracts.

I joined OCTRU in February 2015, where I am involved in leading the design and delivery of clinical trials within the OCTRU portfolio. I am co-chief investigator on a large multicentre NIHR funded (£1.5m) trial of exercise interventions for people with rotator cuff disorders.

Previously, I worked at the Centre for Statistics in Medicine (2007 – 2015) on an MRC-funded programme of research related to CONSORT and the conduct and reporting of clinical trials. I also worked, and continue to collaborate with, the Centre d’Epidemiologie Clinique (2012 – present), University Paris Descartes, on research activities related to the methodology of systematic reviews and randomized trials.

Prior to this I worked at the UK Cochrane Centre (2004 – 2012) and with the NHS National Blood Service (2010 – 2012) systematic review programme. In 2005, I was awarded a D.Phil at the University of Oxford on research into the effects of unpublished data in systematic reviews.

I have a particular interest in clinical trial registration, data sharing, transparent reporting of clinical trial protocols, development of core outcome sets, pilot trials and trials of complex interventions. I am a Cochrane editor, associate editor for the journal Research Integrity and Peer Review, sit on the editorial board for the journal Systematic Reviews and am a member of the advisory board for Current Controlled Trials, NIHR Health Technology Assessment Clinical Evaluation and Trials Board and the IDEAL Collaboration. I regularly carry out peer review for high impact medical journals and various funding bodies (e.g. NIHR and Medical Research Council).

Key publications

Impact of a web-based tool (WebCONSORT) to improve the reporting of randomised trials: results of a randomised controlled trial.
Journal article

Hopewell S. et al, (2016), Bmc med, 14
Feasibility of surgical randomised controlled trials with a placebo arm: a systematic review.
Journal article

Wartolowska K. et al, (2016), Bmj open, 6
CONSORT 2010 explanation and elaboration: updated guidelines for reporting parallel group randomised trials.
Journal article

Moher D. et al, (2010), Bmj, 340
CONSORT 2010 statement: extension to randomised pilot and feasibility trials.
Journal article

Eldridge SM. et al, (2016), Pilot feasibility stud, 2
When and how to update systematic reviews: consensus and checklist.
Journal article

Garner P. et al, (2016), Bmj, 354

Recent publications

Progressive exercise compared with best practice advice, with or without corticosteroid injection, for the treatment of rotator cuff disorders: statistical analysis plan for the Getting it Right: Addressing Shoulder Pain (GRASP) 2 × 2 factorial multicentre randomised controlled trial.
Journal article

Marian IR. et al, (2020), Trials, 21
TIDieR-Placebo: A guide and checklist for reporting placebo and sham controls.
Journal article

Howick J. et al, (2020), Plos med, 17
Items for consideration in a reporting guideline for mediation analyses: a Delphi study.
Journal article

Cashin AG. et al, (2020), Bmj evid based med
Prediction of RECRUITment In randomized clinical Trials (RECRUIT-IT)-rationale and design for an international collaborative study.
Journal article

Kasenda B. et al, (2020), Trials, 21
Exercise for preventing falls in older people living in the community: an abridged Cochrane systematic review.
Journal article

Sherrington C. et al, (2020), Br j sports med, 54, 885 - 891
Blood transfusion for preventing primary and secondary stroke in people with sickle cell disease.
Journal article

Estcourt LJ. et al, (2020), Cochrane database syst rev, 7
Preoperative blood transfusions for sickle cell disease.
Journal article

Estcourt LJ. et al, (2020), Cochrane database syst rev, 7
Assessing the transparency of informed consent in feasibility and pilot studies: a single-centre quality assurance study protocol.
Journal article

Khan MI. et al, (2020), Bmj open, 10
Outcome domains and measures after lower limb orthopaedic surgery for ambulant children with cerebral palsy: an updated scoping review.
Journal article

Almoajil H. et al, (2020), Dev med child neurol
The adaptive designs CONSORT extension (ACE) statement: a checklist with explanation and elaboration guideline for reporting randomised trials that use an adaptive design.
Journal article

Dimairo M. et al, (2020), Trials, 21
Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy for meniscal tears of the knee: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Journal article

Abram SGF. et al, (2020), Br j sports med, 54, 652 - 663
Development and implementation of the physiotherapy-led exercise interventions for the treatment of rotator cuff disorders for the 'Getting it Right: Addressing Shoulder Pain' (GRASP) trial.
Journal article

Keene DJ. et al, (2020), Physiotherapy, 107, 252 - 266
Shoulder replacement surgery for osteoarthritis and rotator cuff tear arthropathy.
Journal article

Craig RS. et al, (2020), Cochrane database syst rev, 4
Reporting guidelines for journal and conference abstracts.
Journal article

Cohen JF. et al, (2020), J clin epidemiol
Interventions for preventing silent cerebral infarcts in people with sickle cell disease.
Journal article

Estcourt LJ. et al, (2020), Cochrane database syst rev, 4
Design, analysis and reporting of multi-arm trials and strategies to address multiple testing.
Conference paper

Odutayo A. et al, (2020), Int j epidemiol
Development of a core outcome set for lower limb orthopaedic surgical interventions in ambulant children and young people with cerebral palsy: a study protocol.
Journal article

Almoajil H. et al, (2020), Bmj open, 10
Impact of a short version of the CONSORT checklist for peer reviewers to improve the reporting of randomised controlled trials published in biomedical journals: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Journal article

Speich B. et al, (2020), Bmj open
Development of A Guideline for Reporting Mediation Analyses (AGReMA).
Journal article

Cashin AG. et al, (2020), Bmc med res methodol, 20
Design, Analysis and Reporting of Multi-Arm Trials and Strategies to Address Multiple Testing
Journal article

ODUTAYO A. et al, (2019), International journal of epidemiology
Prophylactic plasma transfusion for patients without inherited bleeding disorders or anticoagulant use undergoing non-cardiac surgery or invasive procedures.
Journal article

Huber J. et al, (2019), Cochrane database syst rev, 11
Accuracy in detecting inadequate research reporting by early career peer reviewers using an online CONSORT-based peer-review tool (COBPeer) versus the usual peer-review process: a cross-sectional diagnostic study.
Journal article

Chauvin A. et al, (2019), Bmc med, 17
Progressive functional exercise versus best practice advice for adults aged 50 years or over after ankle fracture: protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial in the UK - the Ankle Fracture Treatment: Enhancing Rehabilitation (AFTER) study.
Journal article

Keene DJ. et al, (2019), Bmj open, 9
Regular long-term red blood cell transfusions for managing chronic chest complications in sickle cell disease.
Journal article

Estcourt LJ. et al, (2019), Cochrane database syst rev, 2019
External Pilot and Feasibility Studies: Past, Present and Future Challenges
Conference paper

Thabane L. et al, (2019), Trials, 20
What use is an external pilot study?
Conference paper

Eldridge S. et al, (2019), Trials, 20
Injection therapy for base of thumb osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Journal article

Riley N. et al, (2019), Bmj open, 9
RoB 2: a revised tool for assessing risk of bias in randomised trials.
Journal article

Sterne JAC. et al, (2019), Bmj, 366
Multifactorial interventions for preventing falls in older people living in the community: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 41 trials and almost 20 000 participants.
Journal article

Hopewell S. et al, (2019), Br j sports med
Surgical interventions for symptomatic mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis.
Journal article

Palmer JS. et al, (2019), Cochrane database syst rev, 7
Surgical interventions for symptomatic mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis
Journal article

Palmer JS. et al, (2019), Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2019
Reporting Quality of Journal Abstracts for Surgical Randomized Controlled Trials Before and After the Implementation of the CONSORT Extension for Abstracts.
Journal article

Speich B. et al, (2019), World j surg
Reporting of Multi-Arm Parallel-Group Randomized Trials: Extension of the CONSORT 2010 Statement.
Journal article

Juszczak E. et al, (2019), Jama, 321, 1610 - 1620
Treatment of first-time traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation: the UK TASH-D cohort study.
Journal article

Rees JL. et al, (2019), Health technol assess, 23, 1 - 104
Treatment of first-time traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation: the UK TASH-D cohort study.
Journal article

Rees JL. et al, (2019), Health technol assess, 23, 1 - 104
An overview of systematic reviews found suboptimal reporting and methodological limitations of mediation studies investigating causal mechanisms.
Journal article

Cashin AG. et al, (2019), J clin epidemiol
Patient relevant outcomes of unicompartmental versus total knee replacement: systematic review and meta-analysis.
Journal article

Wilson HA. et al, (2019), Bmj, 364
Exercise for preventing falls in older people living in the community.
Journal article

Sherrington C. et al, (2019), Cochrane database syst rev, 1
Effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural therapy: a protocol for an overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Journal article

Fordham B. et al, (2018), Bmj open, 8
Systematic review of the surgical management of rotator cuff repair with an augmentative patch: a feasibility study protocol.
Journal article

Greenall G. et al, (2018), Syst rev, 7
Overinterpretation and misreporting of prognostic factor studies in oncology: a systematic review.
Journal article

Kempf E. et al, (2018), Br j cancer, 119, 1288 - 1296
Prophylactic platelet transfusions prior to surgery for people with a low platelet count.
Journal article

Estcourt LJ. et al, (2018), Cochrane database syst rev, 9
Doug Altman's legacy to Cochrane and evidence synthesis.
Journal article

Deeks JJ. et al, (2018), Cochrane database syst rev, 8
Red blood cell transfusion to treat or prevent complications in sickle cell disease: an overview of Cochrane reviews.
Journal article

Fortin PM. et al, (2018), Cochrane database syst rev, 8
CONSORT-SPI 2018 Explanation and Elaboration: guidance for reporting social and psychological intervention trials.
Journal article

Grant S. et al, (2018), Trials, 19
Reporting randomised trials of social and psychological interventions: the CONSORT-SPI 2018 Extension.
Journal article

Montgomery P. et al, (2018), Trials, 19
Multifactorial and multiple component interventions for preventing falls in older people living in the community.
Journal article

Hopewell S. et al, (2018), Cochrane database syst rev, 7
Comparison of a therapeutic-only versus prophylactic platelet transfusion policy for people with congenital or acquired bone marrow failure disorders.
Journal article

Malouf R. et al, (2018), Cochrane database syst rev, 5
Interventions for improving adherence to iron chelation therapy in people with sickle cell disease or thalassaemia.
Journal article

Fortin PM. et al, (2018), Cochrane database syst rev, 5
Use of platelet transfusions prior to lumbar punctures or epidural anaesthesia for the prevention of complications in people with thrombocytopenia.
Journal article

Estcourt LJ. et al, (2018), Cochrane database syst rev, 4
Influence of peer review on the reporting of primary outcome(s) and statistical analyses of randomised trials.
Journal article

Hopewell S. et al, (2018), Trials, 19
Patch-augmented rotator cuff surgery (PARCS) study-protocol for a feasibility study.
Journal article

Cook JA. et al, (2018), Pilot feasibility stud, 4
Shoulder replacement surgery for osteoarthritis and rotator cuff tear arthropathy
Journal article

Craig RS. et al, (2017), Cochrane database of systematic reviews
Incidence of shoulder dislocations in the UK, 1995-2015: a population-based cohort study.
Journal article

Shah A. et al, (2017), Bmj open, 7
Patient-reported outcome measures for patients with meniscal tears: a systematic review of measurement properties and evaluation with the COSMIN checklist.
Journal article

Abram SGF. et al, (2017), Bmj open, 7
Diagnostic and therapeutic treatment modalities for acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding: a systematic review.
Journal article

Oakland K. et al, (2017), Endosc int open, 5, E959 - E973
Plasma transfusions prior to lumbar punctures and epidural catheters for people with abnormal coagulation.
Journal article

Estcourt LJ. et al, (2017), Cochrane database syst rev, 9
A protocol of a cross-sectional study evaluating an online tool for early career peer reviewers assessing reports of randomised controlled trials.
Journal article

Chauvin A. et al, (2017), Bmj open, 7
Prophylactic plasma transfusion for patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery.
Journal article

Huber J. et al, (2017), Cochrane database syst rev, 2017
Pathogen-reduced platelets for the prevention of bleeding.
Journal article

Estcourt LJ. et al, (2017), Cochrane database syst rev, 7
Clinical and cost-effectiveness of progressive exercise compared with best practice advice, with or without corticosteroid injection, for the treatment of rotator cuff disorders: protocol for a 2x2 factorial randomised controlled trial (the GRASP trial).
Journal article

Hopewell S. et al, (2017), Bmj open, 7
Desmopressin use for minimising perioperative blood transfusion.
Journal article

Desborough MJ. et al, (2017), Cochrane database syst rev, 7
CONSORT Statement for Randomized Trials of Nonpharmacologic Treatments: A 2017 Update and a CONSORT Extension for Nonpharmacologic Trial Abstracts.
Journal article

Boutron I. et al, (2017), Ann intern med, 167, 40 - 47
Interventions for chronic kidney disease in people with sickle cell disease.
Journal article

Roy NB. et al, (2017), Cochrane database syst rev, 7
Income Disparities in Absolute Cardiovascular Risk and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in the United States, 1999-2014.
Journal article

Odutayo A. et al, (2017), Jama cardiol, 2, 782 - 790
Overinterpretation and misreporting of prognostic factor and biomarker studies in medical oncology.
Conference paper

Kempf E. et al, (2017), Journal of clinical oncology, 35, e14023 - e14023
Interventions for preventing silent cerebral infarcts in people with sickle cell disease.
Journal article

Estcourt LJ. et al, (2017), Cochrane database syst rev, 5
An assessment of the design and dissemination of phase I clinical trials: where can we improve?
Conference paper

Copsey B. et al, (2017), Trials, 18
Influence of peer review on the reporting of primary outcome(s) and statistical analyses of randomised trials
Conference paper

Hopewell S. et al, (2017), Trials, 18
Effect of restrictive versus liberal red cell transfusion strategies on haemostasis: systematic review and meta-analysis.
Journal article

Desborough MJR. et al, (2017), Thromb haemost, 117, 889 - 898
Characteristics and Dissemination of Phase 1 Trials Approved by a UK Regional Office in 2012.
Journal article

Odutayo A. et al, (2017), Jama, 317, 1799 - 1801
Restrictive versus liberal blood transfusion for gastrointestinal bleeding: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
Journal article

Odutayo A. et al, (2017), Lancet gastroenterol hepatol, 2, 354 - 360
Association between trial registration and positive study findings: cross sectional study (Epidemiological Study of Randomized Trials-ESORT).
Journal article

Odutayo A. et al, (2017), Bmj, 356
The Urgent Need for Evidence in Arthroscopic Meniscal Surgery.
Journal article

Monk P. et al, (2017), Am j sports med, 45, 965 - 973
Restrictive versus liberal red blood cell transfusion strategies for people with haematological malignancies treated with intensive chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or both, with or without haematopoietic stem cell support.
Journal article

Estcourt LJ. et al, (2017), Cochrane database syst rev, 1
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain in women with endometriosis.
Journal article

Brown J. et al, (2017), Cochrane database syst rev, 1
Blood transfusion for preventing primary and secondary stroke in people with sickle cell disease.
Journal article

Estcourt LJ. et al, (2017), Cochrane database syst rev, 1
Plasma transfusions prior to lumbar punctures and epidural catheters for people with abnormal coagulation (Protocol)
Journal article

Estcourt L. et al, (2017), Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2017
AKI and Long-Term Risk for Cardiovascular Events and Mortality.
Journal article

Odutayo A. et al, (2017), J am soc nephrol, 28, 377 - 387
CONSORT 2010 Statement: Updated guidelines for reporting parallel group randomized trials
Journal article

Schulz KF. et al, (2017), Japanese pharmacology and therapeutics, 45, 479 - 487
Prophylactic platelet transfusions prior to surgery for people with a low platelet count.
Journal article

Estcourt LJ. et al, (2017), Cochrane database syst rev, 2017
The citation of relevant systematic reviews and randomised trials in published reports of trial protocols.
Journal article

Pandis N. et al, (2016), Trials, 17
Overinterpretation and misreporting of prognostic factor studies in medical oncology
Conference paper

Kempf E. et al, (2016), European journal of cancer, 69, S64 - S64
The Moses-Littenberg meta-analytical method generates systematic differences in test accuracy compared to hierarchical meta-analytical models.
Journal article

Dinnes J. et al, (2016), J clin epidemiol, 80, 77 - 87
Impact of a web-based tool (WebCONSORT) to improve the reporting of randomised trials: results of a randomised controlled trial.
Journal article

Hopewell S. et al, (2016), Bmc med, 14
Exercise for preventing falls in older people living in the community
Journal article

Sherrington C. et al, (2016), Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2016
Alternative agents to prophylactic platelet transfusion for preventing bleeding in people with thrombocytopenia due to chronic bone marrow failure: a meta-analysis and systematic review.
Journal article

Desborough M. et al, (2016), Cochrane database syst rev, 10
CONSORT 2010 statement: extension to randomised pilot and feasibility trials.
Journal article

Eldridge SM. et al, (2016), Bmj, 355
Interventions for chronic kidney disease in people with sickle cell disease.
Journal article

Roy NB. et al, (2016), Cochrane database syst rev, 2016
Interventions for preventing silent cerebral infarcts in people with sickle cell disease.
Journal article

Estcourt LJ. et al, (2016), Cochrane database syst rev, 2016
Plasma transfusions prior to insertion of central lines for people with abnormal coagulation.
Journal article

Hall DP. et al, (2016), Cochrane database syst rev, 9
Compression stockings for preventing deep vein thrombosis in airline passengers.
Journal article

Clarke MJ. et al, (2016), Cochrane database syst rev, 9
Atrial fibrillation and risks of cardiovascular disease, renal disease, and death: systematic review and meta-analysis.
Journal article

Odutayo A. et al, (2016), Bmj, 354
Comparison of a therapeutic-only versus prophylactic platelet transfusion policy for people with congenital or acquired bone marrow failure disorders.
Journal article

Ashraf A. et al, (2016), Cochrane database syst rev, 2016
Interventions for improving adherence to iron chelation therapy in people with sickle cell disease or thalassaemia.
Journal article

Fortin PM. et al, (2016), Cochrane database syst rev, 2016
Peer reviewers identified spin in manuscripts of nonrandomized studies assessing therapeutic interventions, but their impact on spin in abstract conclusions was limited.
Journal article

Lazarus C. et al, (2016), J clin epidemiol, 77, 44 - 51
Alternatives, and adjuncts, to prophylactic platelet transfusion for people with haematological malignancies undergoing intensive chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation.
Journal article

Desborough M. et al, (2016), Cochrane database syst rev
When and how to update systematic reviews: consensus and checklist.
Journal article

Garner P. et al, (2016), Bmj, 354
Update on the endorsement of CONSORT by high impact factor journals: a survey of journal "Instructions to Authors" in 2014.
Journal article

Shamseer L. et al, (2016), Trials, 17
Multifactorial and multiple component interventions for preventing falls in older people living in the community
Journal article

Hopewell S. et al, (2016), Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2016

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