Hello,
We are performing a meta-analysis utilizing metafor package and we have one doubt.
We intent to assess the amount of change within individual group (before and after a treatment), but all studies only report at the pre-test (baseline) the absolute values (continuo variable ? bone mineral density g/cm2), and the percentage change from baseline (with respective SD) at the post-test.
Can we use the percentage change as mean change? In other words, can we use the "MC" as for the measure argument, utilize in the m1i the percentage change values, and both sd2i and ri to 0? Because ri are not reported, should we set as 0.5, and then perform a sensitive analysis (eg. test ri from 0.2 to 0.8) to confirm the results robustness?
Any comments are welcome.
Best regards.