The study was observational and not randomized

The gap

Evidence profile

Sourced from the limitations section and stated challenges and limitations of the source papers, classified as general, spanning 5 journals.

Supporting evidence — 5 representative gaps

• Impact of a digital mindfulness and motor imagery intervention on pain and perceived function in 203 patients with musculoskeletal pain (2026) · Frontiers in Digital Health · doi

  The study was observational and not randomized. The sample size was limited for some sub-group analyses. The study relied on self-reported data. The study did not include a control group. The study was conducted using a digital intervention, which may not be generalizable to other types of interventions.

  generallimitations section
  Keywords: study was observational randomized sample size limited some
• Spiritual Well-Being in Coronary Heart Disease Patients: A Scoping Review (2026) · Journal of Religion and Health · doi

  The paper notes that the limited number of databases used may not cover all relevant literature. The study highlights that the majority of the existing research is cross-sectional, limiting the understanding of cause-and-effect relationships. The review notes that the results may not be generalizable due to the specific regions and cultures of the studies analyzed.

  generalstated challenges
  Keywords: paper notes limited number databases used cover all
• The Relationship Between Orthorexia Nervosa Tendencies, Eating Attitudes, and Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms of Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study (2026) · Cyprus Turkish Journal of Psychiatry and Psychology · doi

  This study encountered some limitations. First, this sample consisted mainly of female students. Secondly, due to the cross-sectional nature of the study, causality of the relationships could not be evaluated. Third, current results are based on self-reports, which may be subject to potential bias.

  generallimitationsevidence 5/5
  Keywords: encountered limitations first sample consisted mainly female students secondly cross sectional nature causality relationships evaluated
• The concealed enslavement: Mobile phone addiction and subjective happiness among young adult Indian undergraduate women (2026) · Indian Journal of Forensic and Community Medicine · doi

  The study had inherent limitations arising from its design, including the lack of a control group and randomization. The study was cross-sectional, so cause-and-effect relationships could not be ascertained. The study used self-reporting, which is not an ideal diagnostic tool. The study's sample was limited to female undergraduate students, which may limit generalizability to the entire population.

  generallimitations sectionevidence 5/5
  Keywords: study had inherent limitations arising design including lack
• Transdiagnostic processes in university mental health: the role of psychological inflexibility, impulsivity and stress in depression and life satisfaction using structural equation modeling (2026) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi

  The study faced challenges in terms of the non-probabilistic, non-clinical convenience sample, which may not be representative of the Ecuadorian university population. The cross-sectional design limited the ability to infer causal relationships. The study relied on self-report measures, which may be subject to biases and limitations.

  generalstated challengesevidence 5/5
  Keywords: study faced challenges terms non-probabilistic non-clinical convenience sample

Questions about this gap