PEDro Scale Calculator
Tick each PEDro criterion the trial clearly meets. The PEDro score out of 10 and its interpretation update as you go. Free, no sign-up, nothing is stored.
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How the PEDro score is calculated
The PEDro scale (Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale) rates the methodological quality of randomised controlled trials with 11 criteria. Criteria 2 to 11 each earn one point when the trial report clearly shows they are met. The total, from 0 to 10, is the PEDro score. Criterion 1, about eligibility criteria, relates to external validity and is not counted.
Rate only what is written in the report. If a criterion might not have been met on a literal reading, do not award the point.
How to interpret a PEDro score
| PEDro score | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| 9–10 | Excellent quality |
| 6–8 | Good quality |
| 4–5 | Fair quality |
| 0–3 | Poor quality |
These bands are a common convention, not part of the scale itself. The PEDro score reflects how well a trial was conducted and reported. It does not tell you whether the treatment works or how large its effect is.
Frequently asked questions
How is the PEDro score calculated?
Each of criteria 2 to 11 earns one point when it is clearly satisfied in the trial report. The PEDro score is the sum of those points, from 0 to 10. Criterion 1 (eligibility criteria) is rated but not added to the score.
What is a good PEDro score?
A score of 6 to 8 is usually read as good quality and 9 to 10 as excellent. In trials of exercise or manual therapy, blinding participants and therapists is rarely possible, so a score of 8 is often the highest such a trial can realistically reach.
Why is criterion 1 not counted?
Criterion 1 concerns external validity: whether the results apply to other people. The PEDro score is designed to reflect internal validity and statistical reporting, so criterion 1 is left out of the total.
Should I award a point when the report is unclear?
No. A point is only awarded when the report clearly shows the criterion is met. If, on a literal reading, the criterion may not have been met, the point is not awarded.
What is the difference between the PEDro scale and RoB 2?
The PEDro scale gives a single score out of 10 for the methodological quality of a randomised controlled trial. Cochrane's RoB 2 instead judges the risk of bias in five domains for a specific result, and gives an overall judgment of low risk, some concerns or high risk.
Other appraisal tools
References
Maher CG, Sherrington C, Herbert RD, Moseley AM, Elkins M. Reliability of the PEDro scale for rating quality of randomized controlled trials. Phys Ther. 2003;83(8):713-21.
Foley NC, Teasell RW, Bhogal SK, Speechley MR. Stroke Rehabilitation Evidence-Based Review: methodology. Top Stroke Rehabil. 2003;10(1):1-7.