- Framework of problems / Objective
- Inconclusive or lack of recommendations
- Cochrane systematic reviews for the mental health field: is the gold standard tarnished?
| Ref ID | 290 |
| First Author | S. Green-Hennessy |
| Journal | PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES |
| Year Of Publishing | 2013 |
| URL | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23117176/ |
| Keywords |
Cochrane Grey literature Mental health Currency |
| Problem(s) |
Weaknesses identified in some Cochrane reviews Inconclusive or lack of recommendations Grey literature excluded Unpublished or "zombie" reviews (the file-drawer effect) |
| Number of systematic reviews included | 522 |
| Summary of Findings | 26% of Cochrane mental health protocols had not been converted to a review five or more years after publication. As a result, some review topics remain undeveloped because an author group has laid a claim to the topic in a prior protocol. Topics can become available again when entries are withdrawn, but withdrawal is a relatively rare occurrence with withdrawal rates differing among Cochrane Review Groups. 44% of included reviews determined that they had insufficient evidence to form any conclusion, even a mixed one. The reviews excluded over twice as many studies as they included, and inclusion of grey literature was infrequent. |
| Did the article find that the problem(s) led to qualitative changes in interpretation of the results? | Not Applicable |
| Are the methods of the article described in enough detail to replicate the study? | Yes |