EditorialExtracting clinically relevant data from finite element simulations
Introduction
The present editorial is the conclusion of a consensus process that started within the Editorial Board of Clinical Biomechanics, and continued with a public discussion on the biomch-l mailing list. As reviewers we are periodically called to evaluate manuscripts in which results obtained from numerical models are used to draw clinically relevant recommendations. Some reviewers tend to consider physical and numerical models of equal value, arguing that both are a simplified representation of the problem being considered. Others consider all results obtained form a numerical model inherently false, and thus discourage any clinical recommendation based on these methods. Most reviewers look for a middle ground between these two extreme positions. In our opinion this disparity of opinions indicates a lack of consensus within our community. The aim of this editorial is to summarise the results of a wide discussion among experts, and to delineate the position of the Editorial Board of Clinical Biomechanics on this important matter.
Section snippets
What is a numerical model?
A numerical model generally consists of a large number of mathematical equations and relies on computers to find an approximate solution to the underlying physical problem. In this sense a numerical model can be considered a particular instance of a mathematical model, which is in physics, the way we represent a theory. Due to their ability to represent complex systems, numerical models are used to simulate and study a large range of problems in biomechanics ranging from classical structural
Verification and validation
In extreme synthesis, verification is about solving the equations right; validation is about solving the right equations (Roarche, 1998). The term verification is commonly used to indicate the process ensuring that the numerical model accurately predicts the results of the theoretical model it is based on. In other words a model is verified by assessing its numerical accuracy. On the contrary, the term validation indicates the process that ensures that the numerical model accurately predicts
Validation of numerical models to be used for clinical purposes
The medical professional must do something when is faced with a suffering patient, even if he or she is not 100% sure that the planned intervention will actually be an effective treatment.
In contemporary medicine one way to formalise this decisional process is by risk–benefit analysis. We propose that our community should start to consider this instrument for the evaluation of the degree of validation of a numerical model to be used in clinical practice. We accept the fact that no numerical
Minimal requirements for a numerical study
The original motivation of this work was related to the need for author and review guidelines for submission based in part or completely on numerical simulations in journals with a clinical target audience. Based on the consensus reached during discussions, and on the lines of thought reported above, our conclusions are:
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Model selection: a clear reason for why any particular study was conducted must be present in any academic publication. It is also important to communicate why a certain method
Where is Clinical Biomechanics on the map?
Clinical Biomechanics aims to strengthen the link between clinic and laboratory by publishing biomechanics research which helps to explain the causes of musculo-skeletal disorders and which provides knowledge contributing to improved clinical management. The readers of the journal reflect its contents, being a balance of scientists, engineers and clinicians. Thus, in order to be published on Clinical Biomechanics a paper based on numerical methods should report complete model verification,
Code reliability
Besides model verification, there is also code verification. For many problems in biomechanics, such as coupled transport, no existing commercial tool can satisfy the needs of the research questions at hand. In these cases in-house solvers are sometimes developed specifically for the purpose of the study. All such new tools must go through a thorough code verification process to validate the numerical accuracy. The validation of any new tool must be presented in a technical journal before it
Conclusion
It is fair to say that numerical simulation can be a very useful tool in biomechanics research. However, as for experimentally based research, articles in this area are of very varying quality. Numerical analysis is easy to do poorly and very hard to do well. First and foremost the researcher needs to ask; what questions do I want this model to answer? Then every effort must be made to create a model which simulates the problem to a suitable degree of accuracy in order to answer the research
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