TrialPanorama/TrialPanorama-benchmark huggingface dataset:
Background: Joint replacements are common procedures and treatment of choice for those with intractable joint pain and disability arising from arthropathy of the hip or knee. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation is considered integral to the outcome of joint replacement.
Objectives: To assess the evidence for effectiveness of multidisciplinary rehabilitation on activity and participation in adults following hip or knee joint replacement for chronic arthropathy.
Selection criteria: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared organised multidisciplinary rehabilitation with routine services following hip or knee replacement, and included outcome measures of activity and participation in accordance with the International Classification of Functioning, Health and Disability (ICF).
Background: Seizures can present at any time before or after diagnosis of a brain tumor. The risk of seizures varies by tumor type and its location in the brain. For a long time we believed that preventing seizures with antiepileptic drugs (seizure prophylaxis) was effective and necessary, but the supporting evidence was little and mixed. Such evidence was the basis for previous reviews to conclude that seizure prophylaxis was ineffective in people with brain tumors.
Objectives: To estimate the effectiveness of seizure prophylaxis in people with brain tumors, and to estimate the adverse event rates in the identified clinical trials.
Selection criteria: Controlled clinical trials with random allocation, blinded or unblinded, and placebo or observation in the control groups.
Background: It has been suggested that peptides from gluten and casein may have a role in the origins of autism and that the physiology and psychology of autism might be explained by excessive opioid activity linked to these peptides. Research has reported abnormal levels of peptides in the urine and cerebrospinal fluid of people with autism.
Objectives: To determine the efficacy of gluten and/or casein free diets as an intervention to improve behaviour, cognitive and social functioning in individuals with autism.
Selection criteria: All randomised controlled trials (RCT) involving programmes which eliminated gluten, casein or both gluten and casein from the diets of individuals diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder.
Background: Although minimally invasive surgery has been accepted for a variety of disorders, laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer is performed by few. Concern about oncological radicality and long term outcome has limited the adoption of laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer.
Objectives: To determine long-term outcome after laparoscopically-assisted versus open surgery for non-metastasised colorectal cancer.
Selection criteria: Randomised clinical trials comparing laparoscopically-assisted and open surgery for non-metastasised colorectal cancer were included. Studies that did not report any long-term outcomes were excluded.
Background: Mistletoe extracts are commonly used in cancer patients. It is claimed that they improve survival and quality of life (QOL) in cancer patients.
Objectives: To determine the effectiveness, tolerability and safety of mistletoe extracts given either as monotherapy or adjunct therapy for patients with cancer.
Selection criteria: We included RCTs of adults with cancer of any type. The interventions were mistletoe extracts as sole treatments or given concomitantly with chemo- or radiotherapy. The outcome measures were survival times, tumor response, QOL, psychological distress, adverse effects from antineoplastic treatment and safety of mistletoe extracts.
Background: Azoospermia, the absence of sperm in ejaculated semen, is the most severe form of male-factor infertility and is present in approximately 5% of all investigated infertile couples. The advent of intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has transformed treatment of this type of severe male-factor infertility. Sperm can be retrieved for ICSI from either the epididymis or the testis, depending on the type of azoospermia.
Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of the various surgical retrieval techniques for men with obstructive or non-obstructive azoospermia prior to ICSI.
Selection criteria: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effectiveness of different sperm-retrieval techniques in men with azoospermia prior to ICSI. Due to the lack of RCTs, non-randomised trials that used the participants as their own control were also considered in the review but their results were not included in the meta-analysis.
Background: Lumbar supports are used in the treatment of low-back pain patients, to prevent the onset of low-back pain (primary prevention) or to prevent recurrences of a low-back pain episode (secondary prevention).
Objectives: To assess the effects of lumbar supports for prevention and treatment of non-specific low-back pain.
Selection criteria: Randomized controlled trials that reported on any type of lumbar supports as preventive or therapeutic intervention for non-specific low-back pain.
Background: Emergency intubation has been widely advocated as a life saving procedure in severe acute illness and injury associated with real or potential compromises to the patient's airway and ventilation. However, some initial data have suggested a lack of observed benefit.
Objectives: To determine in acutely ill and injured patients who have real or anticipated problems in maintaining an adequate airway whether emergency endotracheal intubation, as opposed to other airway management techniques, improves the outcome in terms of survival, degree of disability at discharge or length of stay and complications occurring in hospital.
Selection criteria: All randomised (RCTs) or controlled clinical trials involving the emergency use of endotracheal intubation in the injured or acutely ill patient were examined.
Background: The major allergen in house dust comes from mites. Chemical, physical and combined methods of reducing mite allergen levels are intended to reduce asthma symptoms in people who are sensitive to house dust mites.
Objectives: To assess the effects of reducing exposure to house dust mite antigens in the homes of people with mite-sensitive asthma.
Selection criteria: Randomised trials of mite control measures vs placebo or no treatment in people with asthma known to be sensitive to house dust mites.
Background: Systematic reviews are most helpful if they are up-to-date. We did a systematic review of strategies and methods describing when and how to update systematic reviews.
Objectives: To identify, describe and assess strategies and methods addressing: 1) when to update systematic reviews and 2) how to update systematic reviews.
Selection criteria: We included methodology reports, updated systematic reviews, commentaries, editorials, or other short reports describing the development, use, or comparison of strategies and methods for determining the need for updating or updating systematic reviews in healthcare.
Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Cerebral oedema, the accumulation of fluid within the brain, is believed to be an important contributor to the secondary brain damage that occurs following injury. The release of kinins is thought to be an important factor in the development of cerebral vasogenic oedema and the use of beta-2 receptor antagonists, which prevent the release of these kinins, have been proposed as a potential therapeutic intervention.
Objectives: The objective was to assess the safety and effectiveness of beta-2 receptor antagonists for TBI.
Selection criteria: Randomised controlled trials of beta-2 receptor antagonists versus placebo for TBI.
Background: Fracture of the distal radius is a common injury. A surgical treatment is external fixation, where metal pins inserted into bone on either side of the fracture are then fixed to an external frame.
Objectives: To evaluate the evidence from randomised controlled trials comparing different methods of external fixation for distal radial fractures in adults.
Selection criteria: Randomised or quasi-randomised controlled clinical trials which compared different methods of external fixation in adults with a distal radial fracture.
Background: The HIV-1 pandemic has disproportionately affected individuals in resource-constrained settings. These areas often also have high prevalence of other infectious diseases, such as helminth infections. It is important to determine if helminth infection affects the progression of HIV-1 in these co-infected individuals. There are biologically plausible reasons for possible effects of helminth infection in HIV-1 infected individuals and findings from some observational studies suggest that helminth infection may adversely affect HIV-1 progression. We sought to evaluate the available evidence from published and unpublished studies to determine if treatment of helminth infection in HIV-1 co-infected individuals impacts HIV-1 progression.
Objectives: Our objective was to determine if treating helminth infection in individuals with HIV-1 can reduce the progression of HIV-1 as determined by changes in CD4 count, viral load, or clinical disease progression (including mortality).
Selection criteria: We searched for randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials that compared HIV-1 progression as measured by changes in CD4 count, viral load, or clinical disease progression in HIV-1 infected individuals receiving anti-helminth therapy. Observational studies with relevant data were also included.
Background: Preterm birth occurs in up to 6% to 10% of all births and is the major complication of pregnancy associated with perinatal mortality and morbidity. Previous preterm delivery is a strong predictor for preterm labour, and the earlier the birth, the more likely it is to be repeated at the same gestation. In the acute setting, betamimetics can decrease contraction frequency or delay preterm birth by 24 to 48 hours.
Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of prophylactic oral betamimetics for the prevention of preterm labour and birth for women with singleton pregnancies at high risk of preterm delivery.
Selection criteria: Randomised controlled trials in singleton pregnancies at high risk of preterm labour comparing prophylactic oral betamimetics with placebo or any intervention with the specific aim of preventing preterm birth.
Background: Ischaemic preconditioning is a mechanism for reducing organ ischaemia reperfusion injury by a brief period of organ ischaemia.
Objectives: To assess the advantages and disadvantages of ischaemic preconditioning during donor hepatectomy for liver transplant recipients.
Selection criteria: We included only randomised clinical trials comparing ischaemic preconditioning versus no ischaemic preconditioning during donor liver retrievals performed in humans in this review (irrespective of language or publication status).
Background: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is associated with increased mortality and morbidity in preterm infants. Prophylactic indomethacin results in favorable intermediate outcomes such as reduction of significant PDA, need for surgical ligation, severe intraventricular hemorrhage and serious pulmonary hemorrhage without modifying long-term neurosensory outcomes. Little is known about the effectiveness and safety of prophylactic surgical closure of the PDA in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants.
Objectives: To identify and summarize evidence from randomized controlled trials investigating the effectiveness and safety of prophylactic surgical ligation of the PDA on mortality and morbidities of preterm infants less than 1000 g at birth as compared to no prophylaxis or prophylactic cyclooxygenase inhibitors.
Selection criteria: Randomized or quazi-randomized controlled trials that enrolled infants less than 28 weeks gestation or less than 1000 g at birth who are on assisted ventilation and/or supplemental oxygen without clinical signs of hemodynamic significance of the ductus arteriosus were considered. Trials addressing prophylactic surgical ligation of the patent ducts arteriosus (i.e. procedure done during the first 72 hours of life) versus no intervention or cyclooxygenase inhibitor prophylaxis were included. The primary outcome was bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Other important short and long-term neonatal outcomes were also considered.
Background: The use of central venous catheters is recognised as a risk factor for nosocomial infection. Prophylactic antibiotics may be effective in preventing catheter-related blood stream infection in newborns but may also have the undesirable effect of promoting the emergence of resistant strains of micro-organisms.
Objectives: To determine the effect of prophylactic antibiotics on mortality and morbidity in neonates with central venous catheters.
Selection criteria: Randomised controlled trials or quasi-randomised controlled trials of adequate quality in which either individual newborn infants or clusters of infants were randomised to receive prophylactic antibiotics (not including antifungals) versus placebo or no treatment. Infants must have had central venous catheters, been full term infants less than 28 days old or preterm infants up to 44 weeks (postmenstrual) corrected age.
Background: Vitamin A supplements are effective for preventing diarrhoea. There are theoretical reasons it might also be effective for acute lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs), also very common in children, especially in low income countries.
Objectives: To assess the effectiveness and safety of vitamin A for preventing acute LRTIs in children up to seven years of age.
Selection criteria: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the effectiveness of vitamin A in the prevention of acute LRTI in children up to seven years of age.
Background: Indomethacin is a prostaglandin inhibitor used for the prevention and the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Although a 3-dose schedule has been commonly used, there is no consensus on optimal dosage and duration of indomethacin therapy for PDA closure. There are potential adverse effects of indomethacin use in premature infants such as a reduction in cerebral, mesenteric and renal blood flow and platelet dysfunction. Administering indomethacin continuously over 36-hours has been suggested as a safer and more effective option to prevent such adverse effects.
Objectives: To compare the efficacy and safety of continuous infusion versus bolus administration of indomethacin in closing a symptomatic PDA in preterm infants.
Selection criteria: Randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials comparing continuous indomethacin infusion to bolus doses for closure of a symptomatic PDA in preterm infants with a symptomatic PDA diagnosed clinically and/or by echocardiography.
Background: Diet as one aspect of lifestyle is thought to be one of the modifiable risk factors for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Information is needed as to which components of the diet could be protective for this disease.
Objectives: To asses the effects of whole-grain foods for the prevention of T2DM.
Selection criteria: We selected cohort studies with a minimum duration of five years that assessed the association between intake of whole-grain foods or cereal fibre and incidence of T2DM. Randomised controlled trials lasting at least six weeks were selected that assessed the effect of a diet rich in whole-grain foods compared to a diet rich in refined grain foods on T2DM and its major risk factors.
Background: Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) comprises a large variety of different forms of motor and sensory neuropathies. The most frequent are demyelinating forms (CMT1) and axonal forms (CMT2). The molecular basis of several CMT forms has been clarified during the last 15 years. Since muscle wasting and sensory disturbance are the main features of these syndromes, treatments aim to improve motor impairment and sensory disturbances. Specific treatment trials are rare.
Objectives: The objective was to review systematically all randomised and quasi-randomised studies of any treatment for CMT.
Selection criteria: We included randomised and quasi-randomised trials of any treatment for people with CMT. Where a study aimed to evaluate the treatment of general neuromuscular symptoms of people with peripheral neuropathy including CMT, we included the study if we were able to identify the effect of treatment in the CMT group. Observational studies and case reports on the treatment of people with CMT were not included.
Background: This review is one in a series of Cochrane reviews of interventions for shoulder disorders.
Objectives: To determine the effectiveness and safety of surgery for rotator cuff disease.
Selection criteria: Only studies described as randomised or quasi-randomised clinical trials (RCTs) studying participants with rotator cuff disease and surgical interventions compared to placebo, no treatment, or any other treatment were included.
Background: Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disease with an estimated prevalence of 1% in the United Kingdom. Approximately a third of these people continue to have seizures despite drug treatment. In order to try to improve outcomes a number of new antiepileptic drugs have been developed and pregabalin is one of these.
Objectives: To summarize evidence from randomized, controlled trials regarding the efficacy and tolerability of pregabalin when used as an add-on antiepileptic drug in treatment-resistant partial epilepsy.
Selection criteria: We included randomized controlled double-blind trials comparing pregabalin with placebo for people with drug-refractory partial epilepsy. Outcomes included 50% or greater reduction in seizure frequency, treatment withdrawal for any reason, treatment withdrawal for adverse events, and nature of adverse events.
Background: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is one of the most common, preventable complications of surgery. Although the relationship between surgery and DVT is well established in general surgical operations and most other subspecialties, the same cannot be said about arterial surgery. Deep vein thrombosis is believed to be less common in aortic surgery where its management is rather controversial with a reported incidence of DVT from 2% to 18%.Intra-operative heparin is believed to provide protection during the period when DVT is most likely to develop. However, the practice of using intra-operative heparin could increase the risk of haemorrhagic complications if further heparin is used during the recovery period. This can significantly limit the use of such prophylactic measures especially with the low perceived risk of venous thromboembolism (DVT or pulmonary embolism (PE)) following abdominal aortic surgery. However, vascular patients are usually older, with more co-morbidity and are subject to prolonged immobility, all of which increase the likelihood of developing venous thromboembolism.
Objectives: To determine the efficacy of anticoagulant prophylaxis (with or without mechanical devices) in patients undergoing surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Selection criteria: Randomised controlled trials comparing the use of anticoagulants (with or without mechanical devices) with control or no intervention in preventing DVT or PE after abdominal aortic operations.
Background: Many people (up to 50%) with schizophrenia also have co-morbid depression. It has been suggested that new atypical antipsychotic drugs are beneficial for people with the two diagnoses.
Objectives: To assess the effects of atypical antipsychotic drugs on people who have a diagnosis of both schizophrenia and depression.
Selection criteria: We included randomised clinical trials of atypical antipsychotic drugs used specifically for the treatment of people with a diagnosis of both schizophrenia and depression.
Background: Delirium is now the preferred term to describe acute confusional states. It is experienced by 10 to 30% of all hospital inpatients. Delirium is potentially reversible and is related to several adverse outcomes, including increased hospital length of stay, poor functional status, persistent cognitive impairment, need for institutional care and probably mortality. Disruption of the cholinergic system has been proposed as a key mechanism of delirium. Cholinesterase inhibitors enhance the cholinergic system and there have been reports that they might be beneficial in treating delirium.
Objectives: To assess the efficacy and safety of cholinesterase inhibitors in the treatment of delirium.
Selection criteria: Unconfounded, blinded randomised controlled trials, published or unpublished in which treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors was administered and compared with alternative interventions in patients with delirium are included.
Background: Hawthorn extract is advocated as an oral treatment option for chronic heart failure. Also, the German Commission E approved the use of extracts of hawthorn leaf with flower in patients suffering from heart failure graded stage II according to the New York Heart Association.
Objectives: To assess the benefits and harms as reported in double-blind randomised clinical trials of hawthorn extract compared with placebo for treating patients with chronic heart failure.
Selection criteria: To be included, studies were required to state that they were randomised, double-blind, and placebo controlled, and used hawthorn leaf and flower extract monopreparations.
Background: Acute renal failure (ARF) is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Some studies have reported a survival advantage among patients dialyzed with biocompatible membranes (BCM) compared to bioincompatible membranes (BICM). These findings were not consistently observed in subsequent studies.
Objectives: To ascertain whether the use of BCM confers an advantage in either survival or recovery of renal function over the use of BICM in adult patients with ARF requiring intermittent hemodialysis.
Selection criteria: Randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials comparing the use of a BCM with a BICM in patients > 18 years of age with ARF requiring intermittent hemodialysis.
Background: Atopic eczema (AE) is a non-infective chronic inflammatory skin disease characterised by an itchy red rash.
Objectives: To assess the effects of dietary exclusions for the treatment of established atopic eczema.
Selection criteria: People who have atopic eczema as diagnosed by a doctor.
Background: Noisy breathing (death rattle) occurs in 23 to 92% of people who are dying. The cause of death rattle remains unproven but is presumed to be due to an accumulation of secretions in the airways. It is therefore managed physically (repositioning and clearing the upper airways of fluid with a mechanical sucker) or pharmacologically (with anticholinergic drugs).
Objectives: To describe and assess the evidence for the effectiveness of interventions used to treat death rattle in patients close to death.
Selection criteria: RCTs, controlled before and after studies and ITS reporting the outcome of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for treating death rattle.
Background: Rates of caesarean section (CS) have been rising globally. It is important to use the most effective and safe technique.
Objectives: To compare the effects of complete methods of caesarean section; and to summarise the findings of reviews of individual aspects of caesarean section technique.
Selection criteria: Randomised controlled trials of intention to perform caesarean section using different techniques.
Background: Urinary incontinence can affect 40-60% of people admitted to hospital after a stroke, with 25% still having problems on hospital discharge and 15% remaining incontinent at one year.
Objectives: To determine the optimal methods for treatment of urinary incontinence after stroke in adults.
Selection criteria: Randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials evaluating the effects of interventions designed to promote continence in people after stroke.