Cochrane Collaboration

About: Cochrane Collaboration is a nonprofit organization based out in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Systematic review & Randomized controlled trial. The organization has 1995 authors who have published 3928 publications receiving 382695 citations.

The Effectiveness of Bilateral Cochlear Implants for Severe-to-Profound Deafness in Children: A Systematic Review

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical effectiveness of bilateral cochlear implantation compared with unilateral cochlear implantation alone or with a contralateral hearing aid (bimodal stimulation), in children with severe-to-profound hearing loss. Recently, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the U.K. has conducted a systematic review on cochlear implantation. We decided to update the pediatric part of the NICE review. DATA SOURCES: The electronic databases MEDLINE and Embase were searched for European, North American, and Australasian studies published between October 2006 and June 2009. Reference lists of the included articles were also searched for relevant articles. STUDY SELECTION: Studies were included if they comprised data on comparisons between bilateral cochlear implantation and unilateral cochlear implantation and/or bilateral cochlear implantation and bimodal stimulation, in children with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss. The following outcome measures were analyzed: audiological, speech perception, speech production, functional capacities, health-related quality of life, and/or educational outcomes. DATA EXTRACTION: Characteristics of the participants, interventions, outcomes, and methodological comments were entered into data extraction forms and the level of evidence was assessed. DATA SYNTHESIS: Results were standardized for each outcome measure by calculating a standardized mean difference (effect size). CONCLUSION: Effect sizes could not be pooled because of the heterogeneity of the studies. Therefore, we presented the results qualitatively. Although the level of evidence was low, the advantages of bilateral cochlear implants corresponded with the primary benefits of bilateral hearing, that is, improved speech perception in quiet and noise. Localization results were less consistent. No data on audiologic, speech production, or educational outcomes were available.

Trunk training exercises approaches for improving trunk performance and functional sitting balance in patients with stroke: A systematic review

Abstract: Background Trunk control has been identified as an important early predictor of functional outcome after stroke but there is insufficient evidence that proximal stability of the trunk is a pre-requisite for sitting and standing balance, walking, and functional activities. Objective We systematically reviewed the literature on trunk training exercises (TTE) in adult patients with stroke. To establish if TTE can improve trunk performance and sitting balance. Methods CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PEDro, REHABDATA Database, Scielo, Scopus, Web of Science, Trip Database, and Epistemonikos were searched and reference lists screened to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of trunk training exercises in stroke survivors. Two reviewers independently screened references, selected relevant studies, extracted data, and assessed trial quality. The primary outcomes were trunk performance and sitting balance. Due to the heterogeneity of included studies meta-analysis was not possible. Results A total of 11 studies with 317 participants were analysed. Trunk training exercises showed a moderate evidence to improve trunk performance and dynamic sitting balance. Conclusions Trunk training exercises, performed with either stable or unstable surface, could be a good rehabilitation strategy and might help improving trunk performance and dynamic sitting balance after stroke.

Editorial: can China master the guideline challenge?

Abstract: China is experiencing increased health care use and expenditures, without sufficient controls to ensure quality and value. Transparent, cost-conscious and patient-centered guidelines based on the best available evidence could help establishing these quality and practice measures.

Coenzyme Q10 and male infertility: a meta-analysis

Abstract: Objective To evaluate the effect of coenzyme Q10 treatments in male infertility, specifically in these parameters: live birth and pregnancy rates, CoQ10 seminal concentration, sperm concentration, and sperm motility.

Current Status in Non-Invasive Prenatal Detection of Down Syndrome, Trisomy 18, and Trisomy 13 Using Cell-Free DNA in Maternal Plasma

Abstract: Objective To provide a review of published studies on the use of cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma for the non-invasive diagnosis of Down syndrome, trisomy 18, and trisomy 13. Evidence: PubMed was searched for articles published between 2006 and October 2012, using appropriate key words (e.g., non-invasive prenatal diagnosis, Down syndrome, cell-free fetal DNA, aneuploidy screening). Results were restricted to systematic reviews, randomized control trials/controlled clinical trials, and observational studies. Searches were updated on a regular basis and incorporated in the guideline to October 31, 2012. Grey (unpublished) literature was identified through searching the websites of health technology assessment and health technology assessment-related agencies, clinical practice guideline collections, clinical trial registries, and national and international medical specialty societies. Values: The studies reviewed were classified according to criteria described by the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care, and the recommendations for practice were ranked according to this classification (Table 1).