# RETRACTION: Effects of Massage Therapy on Pain and Anxiety Intensity in Patients With Burns: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

## TL;DR

This retracted study claimed to review massage therapy's effects on pain and anxiety in burn patients, but was found to have used a flawed peer review process and excessive self-citations.

## Contribution

The paper was retracted due to evidence of a compromised peer review and excessive self-citations, indicating a lack of scientific integrity.

## Key findings

- The paper was retracted due to a compromised peer review process.
- Excessive self-citations were identified in the reference list.
- The authors disagree with the retraction decision.

## Abstract

RETRACTION:

MiriS.
,
HosseiniS. J.
,
VajargahP. G.
,
FiroozM.
,
TakasiP.
,
MollaeiA.
,
RamezaniS.
,
ToloueiM.
,
ZeydiA. E.
,
OsujiJ.
,
FarzanR.
, and
KarkhahS.
, “Effects of Massage Therapy on Pain and Anxiety Intensity in Patients With Burns: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis,” International Wound Journal
20, no. 6 (2023): 2440–2458, 10.1111/iwj.14089.36680488
PMC10333016

The above article, published online on 21 January 2023, in Wiley Online Library (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/), has been retracted by agreement between the journal Editor in Chief, Professor Keith Harding; and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. A third party reported to the journal that they had found evidence of excessive self‐citations in the reference list of this article. The publisher confirmed multiple instances of redundant self‐citations. Upon further investigation, the publisher also concluded that this article was accepted solely on the basis of a compromised peer review process. In view of the clear evidence of compromised peer review, the parties agreed that the paper must be retracted. The authors disagree with the retraction.