Non-pharmacological interventions for fibromyalgia (fibromyalgia syndrome) in adults: an overview of Cochrane Reviews This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (overview). The objectives are as follows: To summarise the evidence on the effectiveness, acceptability, and safety of non-pharmacological interventions for FMS in adults. To explore variability in methods across Cochrane Reviews, in regards to inclusion/exclusion criteria, outcomes, comparisons, and the methods of assessment of adverse events. To examine the quality of Cochrane Reviews of FMS and inform on how reporting of Cochrane...

Fluid removal therapy in acute heart failure Review question What are the effects of ultrafiltration (UF), a fluid removal therapy, in acute heart failure (AHF)? Background AHF is a common condition where the heart does not pump effectively, causing fluid to accumulate in the lungs and body. This causes difficulty in breathing, damage to heart and kidneys, high readmission to hospital and high death rates. Usual care involves medications called diuretics to remove this excess fluid, but some people may become resistant to it. UF provides an alternative therapy to quickly remove fluid. A...

Interventions for smokeless tobacco use cessation This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the effects of behavioural and pharmacological interventions for smokeless tobacco use cessation. This is a protocol....

Prophylactic antibiotics for uterine evacuation procedures to treat miscarriage This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: The objective of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness of routine antibiotic prophylaxis to women undergoing uterine evacuation procedures to treat miscarriage. This is a protocol....

Gut microbial biomarkers for predicting adverse outcomes in people with chronic kidney disease This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (prognosis). The objectives are as follows: To (a) identify the gut microbial biomarkers in patients with CKD, on dialysis, and with kidney transplants; (b) determine whether these biomarkers are associated independently with adverse patient-relevant outcomes leading to progression of CKD stages 1 to 5; and (c) explore sources of heterogeneity. Investigation of sources of heterogeneity between studies We will explore potential sources of heterogeneity that...

Exercise training for adults receiving dialysis treatments What is the issue? People undergoing dialysis treatments are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease and depression, have a lower quality of life and limited survival than the general population. Furthermore, many people undergoing dialysis have difficulty performing daily activities because they lack the physical capacity and strength to do so. Multiple trials have assessed the potential for exercise training to improve the condition of adults undergoing dialysis, but no consensus has been reached. What did we do? We searched the...

Dose reduction and discontinuation of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for juvenile idiopathic arthritis This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the benefits and harms of dose reduction or discontinuation of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in children and young people with clinically inactive juvenile idiopathic arthritis. This is a common protocol for two separate reviews: one on systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis and one on non-systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis. A secondary objective is to keep...

Factors that impact on recruitment to vaccine trials during a pandemic or epidemic: a qualitative evidence synthesis This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (qualitative). The objectives are as follows: This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (qualitative). The review aims to explore the factors associated with a person’s decision to take part in a pandemic or epidemic vaccine trial. This is a protocol....

Topical repellents for malaria prevention This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the effect of topical repellents alone or in combination with other background interventions for reducing malaria incidence in high-risk and non-high-risk populations living in endemic areas. This is a protocol....

Systemic therapies for preventing or treating aromatase inhibitor-induced musculoskeletal symptoms in early breast cancer What was the aim of this review? Hormonal therapy with aromatase inhibitors is used to treat a type of early breast cancer (hormone-receptor positive) in women after the menopause. AI cause side effects including joint and muscle pains and stiffness (aromatase inhibitors musculoskeletal symptoms, or so-called AIMSS), which may cause some women to stop taking their aromatase inhibitors, and potentially worsen survival. The aim of this Cochrane Review was to examine whether...

Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To determine the efficacy and safety of any catheter ablation in people with first diagnosed, paroxysmal, persistent, and long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation versus any medical therapy. This is a protocol....

Electroconvulsive therapy for preventing relapse and recurrence in people with depression This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the benefits and harms of ECT for preventing relapse and recurrence of depression in children, adolescents, adults, and older people with major depressive disorder. This is a protocol....

Antithrombotics after infra-inguinal peripheral endovascular treatment This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To determine the effects of antithrombotic agents compared with each other, with placebo, or with no treatment, in people with infra-inguinal (below the anatomical level of the inguinal ligament) peripheral arterial disease who are undergoing peripheral endovascular treatment. This is a protocol....

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for post-traumatic stress disorder in adults This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the safety and efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults. This is a protocol....

Lifestyle and dietary interventions for Ménière’s disease This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the benefits and harms of lifestyle interventions for Ménière's disease. This is a protocol....

Do heated tobacco products help people to quit smoking, are they safe for this purpose, and have they led to falls in smoking rates? Key messages Heated tobacco probably exposes people to fewer toxins than cigarettes, but possibly more than not using any tobacco. Falls in cigarette sales appeared to speed up following the launch of heated tobacco in Japan, but we are uncertain whether this is caused by people switching from cigarettes to heated tobacco. We need more independently funded research into whether heated tobacco helps people stop smoking, whether it results in unwanted effects,...

Improving the outcome of people with primary brain tumours and their carers using early palliative interventions Why this question is important Brain tumours can have a significant impact on people and their carers. Brain tumours can impair people's physical, neurocognitive, and social functioning, which can affect the whole family, particularly informal caregivers, who often receive inadequate support. There is evidence in other cancers that providing access to palliative support in the early stages of a person's illness can help to improve their, and their caregivers', quality of life....

Long term antibiotics taken at regular intervals by people with bronchiectasis Background Bronchiectasis is a common condition arising from a cycle of repeated chest infections that damage the airways, leaving them susceptible to further infection. Typical symptoms include persistent cough and phlegm production. The main aim of treatment is to reduce lung infections and improve quality of life. Long term antibiotics aim to break this cycle of reinfection but this must be balanced against increased risk of developing resistance to antibiotics. Antibiotics may be taken at intervals to reduce...

Preoperative coronary interventions for preventing acute myocardial infarction in the perioperative period of major open vascular or endovascular surgery This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the effects of preoperative coronary interventions for preventing acute myocardial infarction in the perioperative period of major open vascular or endovascular surgery. This is a protocol....

Low levels of sugar to prevent cardiovascular disease Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a group of disorders affecting the heart and blood vessels and the number one cause of death worldwide. It is important to detect modifiable risk factors and find strategies to prevent CVD. There are several established modifiable risk factors for developing CVD, one of them being eating an unhealthy diet rich in sugar. Sugar can be divided in two categories; sugars naturally occurring in food and sugars that are added to food. A high level of added sugar intake is suggested to cause weight gain...