Best Available Evidence in Cochrane Reviews on Herbal Medicine?

E Davidson; J E Vlachojannis; Melainie Cameron; S Chrubasik

doi:10.1155/2013/163412

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Best Available Evidence in Cochrane Reviews on Herbal Medicine?

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Best Available Evidence in Cochrane Reviews on Herbal Medicine?

E Davidson, J E Vlachojannis, Melainie Cameron and S Chrubasik

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Vol.2013, 163412

2013

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/163412

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Abstract

Cochrane reviews are considered by many to be the "gold standard" or the final word in medical conversation on a topic. We explored the eleven most relevant Cochrane reviews on herbal medicine and identified that frequently herbal medicines in the included studies had not been sufficiently well characterised. If data on the effects of the plant parts are unavailable, effects of co-active ingredients need to be considered and the plausibility of the study medications for the specific indications discussed. Effect sizes calculated from exploratory studies would be best used to determine the sample sizes required for future confirmatory studies, rather than as definitive reports of intervention effects. Reviews should be comprehensive, including discussion of putative adverse events and possible drug interactions. We suggest that the guidelines for preparing Cochrane reviews be revised and offer assistance in this task.

Details

Title: Best Available Evidence in Cochrane Reviews on Herbal Medicine?
Authors: E Davidson (Author) - Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital, Israel
J E Vlachojannis (Author) - Universitat Freiburg, Germany
Melainie Cameron (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
S Chrubasik (Author) - Universitat Freiburg, Germany
Publication details: Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Vol.2013, 163412
Publisher: Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Date published: 2013
DOI: 10.1155/2013/163412
ISSN: 1741-427X
Copyright note: Copyright © 2013 Elyad Davidson et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449001802621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Integrative & Complementary Medicine

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Source: InCites