Echinacea for prevention of the common cold : an illustrative review of how information from different systematic reviews is summarised on the internet

Hart, Anna and Dey, P (2009) Echinacea for prevention of the common cold : an illustrative review of how information from different systematic reviews is summarised on the internet. Preventive Medicine, 49 (2-3). pp. 78-82. ISSN 1096-0260

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Abstract

Objectives Three systematic reviews of echinacea for the prevention of colds have somewhat different conclusions. Our study objectives were to illustrate how selection criteria for trials in each of the reviews could lead to different conclusions, and to classify the ways in which webpage authors use the reviews to construct advice about echinacea. Methods A funnel plot was constructed of all treatment comparisons in the primary trials included in the reviews. A World Wide Web search was undertaken using five major search engines in order to locate webpages that referred to the efficacy of echinacea in cold prevention and also referred to each of the reviews. Results Twelve webpages were located. Three webpages presented findings from all three reviews; five presented findings from one or two; four used all three reviews as general supporting references. Views about efficacy differed. There were few comments about the sources of heterogeneity between reviews. Conclusions Given the residual uncertainty and the gaps between the evidence and the ways that this is summarised on webpages, it may prove difficult for consumers to assimilate the evidence. As well as undertaking high-quality trials in complementary medicine, we also need to ensure precision in the reporting of uncertainty.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Preventive Medicine
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2700/2739
Subjects:
?? echinaceaprevention systematic reviews internet health knowledge attitudes and practice evidence-based medicine complementary therapies uncertaintycommon coldpublic health, environmental and occupational healthepidemiology ??
ID Code:
50708
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
03 Nov 2011 11:25
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
15 Jul 2024 12:25