Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 2003; 8: 504–5
The aim of this project was to develop tools for critically appraising different types of herbal medicine literature.
Databases (e.g. PubMed, IPA) were searched to identify articles discussing tools used to critically appraise literature describing evaluation of efficacy of allopathic and herbal medications. Tools described in retrieved articles were compared and contrasted for completeness and rigour by looking at items such as: parameters/questions/criteria used to assess the trials, completeness and weighting of components. Tools to evaluate different types of studies, such as RCTs were drafted. A pilot study, with six participants, each assessing three papers, was used to evaluate one tool (tool for critical appraisal of RCTs). Feedback obtained from the pilot study was used to revise the RCT tool.
Examination of 20 articles identified questions considered important in critically appraising literature describing evaluation of efficacy of medications. Tools were drafted using questions perceived as essential and adding questions specific to herbal products. Comments and suggestions obtained from a pilot study on the draft of the tool to appraise RCTs were used to produce a second draft of the tool.
Tools to critically appraise herbal literature were drafted to reflect unique features of herbal medicine. One tool (for RCTs) was tested and revised.
This work was supported by the Faculty of Health Professions Research Development Grant, Dalhousie University, and the Dalhousie Pharmacy Endowment Fund, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
