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Search review questions

Each row is one question a systematic review asked: who, what, compared with what, and which outcome, with the effect it found and how certain that is. Words match anywhere in the field.

Limit to evidence status or GRADE (optional)

75,239 questions in 5,342 reviews

current versions
No studies 15,213 · 20.2%Ungraded 10,323 · 13.7%Very low 17,528 · 23.3%Low 17,951 · 23.9%Moderate 11,190 · 14.9%High 3,034 · 4%

Ungraded means an effect was reported without a GRADE rating; it is not a gap. No studies means the review found nothing to answer the question. The six categories are a display order, not a score.

QuestionEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Home exercise vs no exercise
Change in left handgrip force (Kg) · patients with people with peripheral neuropathy
Exercise for people with peripheral neuropathy (2004) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 28 participantsModerate
Home exercise vs no exercise
Change in right handgrip force (Kg) · patients with people with peripheral neuropathy
Exercise for people with peripheral neuropathy (2004) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 28 participantsModerate
Any CNTF vs placebo
Deaths · patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or motor neuron disease
Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or motor neuron disease (2004) · Cochrane
RR 1.07 [0.81, 1.41]2 studies · 1300 participantsHigh
Any CNTF vs placebo
Muscle strength change from baseline value of isometric muscle strength (combination megascore) · patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or motor neuron disease
Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or motor neuron disease (2004) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 1300 participantsHigh
Any CNTF vs placebo
Respiratory function (FVC %) change from baseline measures of forced vital capacity as a percentage of the predicted value (FVC %) · patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or motor neuron disease
Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or motor neuron disease (2004) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 1300 participantsHigh
Any CNTF vs placebo
Changes in quality of life (SIP) change in Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) scores (range from 0 = best health to 100 = worst health). · patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or motor neuron disease
Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or motor neuron disease (2004) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 503 participantsHigh
Any CNTF vs placebo
Asthenia · patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or motor neuron disease
Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or motor neuron disease (2004) · Cochrane
RR 1.02 [0.81, 1.28]1 study · 570 participantsHigh
Any CNTF vs placebo
Nausea · patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or motor neuron disease
Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or motor neuron disease (2004) · Cochrane
RR 1.35 [0.92, 1.99]1 study · 570 participantsHigh
Any CNTF vs placebo
Increased salivation · patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or motor neuron disease
Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or motor neuron disease (2004) · Cochrane
RR 1.08 [0.78, 1.5]1 study · 570 participantsHigh
Fluoride mouthrinse, gel or varnish combined with fluoride toothpaste (any combined regimen) vs Fluoride toothpaste alone
Caries increment in permanent teeth: D(M)FS (prevented fraction) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less · Nearest to 3 years
Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane
PF 0.10 [0.02, 0.17]9 studies · 4026 participantsUngraded
Fluoride toothpaste vs Any other topical fluoride (gel or mouthrinse)
Unacceptability of treatment (drop-outs) · Children or adolescents aged 16 or less at the start of the study
One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing… (2004) · Cochrane
RR 0.88 [0.78, 1.00]6 studiesUngraded
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Biofeedback/stress management
Treatment credibility · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · 3 months or less
Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane
MD -0.10 [-0.69, 0.49]1 studyUngraded
Fluoride mouthrinse combined with fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride toothpaste alone
Caries increment in permanent teeth: D(M)FS (prevented fraction) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less · Nearest to 3 years
Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane
PF 0.07 [0.00, 0.13]5 studies · 2738 participantsUngraded
Fluoride gel combined with fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride toothpaste alone
Caries increment in permanent teeth: D(M)FS (prevented fraction) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less · Nearest to 3 years
Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane
PF 0.14 [-0.09, 0.38]3 studies · 1217 participantsUngraded
Fluoride varnish vs Fluoride mouthrinse
Caries increment (D(M)FS), permanent teeth · Children or adolescents aged 16 or less at the start of the study · 1 to 3 years (final follow-up)
One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing… (2004) · Cochrane
PF 0.10 [-0.12, 0.32]4 studies · 952 participantsUngraded
Ozone applied to the carious lesion (10 or 40 seconds), with a fluoride reductant and oral hygiene/preventive advice vs No ozone, with a fluoride reductant and oral hygiene/preventive advice (as in the intervention group)
Pain (assessed by the patient) · People of any age with caries (including demineralisation in non-cavitated carious lesions); the caries may affect any…
Ozone therapy for the treatment of dental caries (2004) · Cochrane
No data were provided in any of the included trials on pain.NRNo studies
Ozone applied to the carious lesion (10 or 40 seconds), with a fluoride reductant and oral hygiene/preventive advice vs No ozone, with a fluoride reductant and oral hygiene/preventive advice (as in the intervention group)
Caries progression/regression (clinical severity index, log(e) ECM and log(e) DIAGNOdent scores) · People of any age with caries (including demineralisation in non-cavitated carious lesions); the caries may affect any… · 6 and 12 months
Ozone therapy for the treatment of dental caries (2004) · Cochrane
No consistent trend of benefit or harm following ozone was seen across the outcome measures in any of the three studies; analyses were conducted at the lesion level (not independent of the person), so data were not…3 studies · 137 participantsUngraded
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Non-occluding splint
Pain (unpleasantness/intensity/palpation) · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · 3 months or less
Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane
RR 1.44 [0.81, 2.58]3 studiesUngraded
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Non-occluding splint
Movement (increase in maximal mouth opening) · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · 3 months or less
Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane
MD 1.45 [-1.47, 4.37]1 studyUngraded
Fluoride toothpaste vs Any other topical fluoride (gel or mouthrinse)
Caries increment (D(M)FS), permanent teeth · Children or adolescents aged 16 or less at the start of the study · 1 to 3 years (final follow-up)
One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing… (2004) · Cochrane
PF 0.01 [-0.13, 0.14]9 studies · 3801 participantsUngraded
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Relaxation
Pain (reduction in pain on palpation) · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · 3 months or less
Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane
SS vs relaxation (Okeson 1983; Winocur 2002): reduction in pain on palpation. Okeson 1983 showed a significant reduction favouring SS; Winocur 2002 did not. Significant heterogeneity (P<0.01, I2=98.3%) meant the data…2 studiesUngraded
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Biofeedback/stress management
Helkimo clinical dysfunction index · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · 3 months or less
Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane
RR 1.11 [0.64, 1.92]1 studyUngraded
Fluoride varnish vs Fluoride toothpaste
Caries increment (dfs), deciduous teeth · Children or adolescents aged 16 or less at the start of the study · 1 to 3 years (final follow-up)
One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing… (2004) · Cochrane
PF -0.051 study · 183 participantsUngraded
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Acupuncture
Pain (palpation and on movement) · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · 3 months or less
Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane
RR 0.63 [0.24, 1.65]2 studiesUngraded
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Biofeedback/stress management
Pain (severity/muscle palpation) · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · 3 months or less
Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane
MD 0.30 [-0.48, 1.08]1 studyUngraded
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Jaw exercises
Pain (TMJ, muscle, on movement) · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · up to 6 months
Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane
SS vs jaw exercises (Magnusson 1999): improvements in all pain outcomes (TMJ pain, muscle pain, pain on movement) for both groups at 3 and 6 months; no statistically significant between-group difference at any time…1 studyUngraded
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Relaxation
Movement (maximal mouth opening) · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · 3 months or less
Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane
SS vs relaxation (Okeson 1983; Winocur 2002): change in maximal mouth opening (active/comfortable and assisted/painful). Significant heterogeneity (active/comfortable P<0.01, I2=92.9%; assisted/painful P<0.01, I2=94%);…2 studiesUngraded
Ozone applied to the carious lesion (10 or 40 seconds), with a fluoride reductant and oral hygiene/preventive advice vs No ozone, with a fluoride reductant and oral hygiene/preventive advice (as in the intervention group)
Time to intervention · People of any age with caries (including demineralisation in non-cavitated carious lesions); the caries may affect any…
Ozone therapy for the treatment of dental caries (2004) · Cochrane
No data were provided in any of the included trials on time to intervention.NRNo studies
Fluoride mouthrinse combined with fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride toothpaste alone
Unacceptability of treatment (drop-outs / leaving study early) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less
Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane
RR 1.03 [0.84, 1.26]3 studies · 1704 participantsUngraded
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Biofeedback/stress management
Depression (CES-D, POMS) · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · 3 months or less
Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane
MD 5.50 [1.49, 9.51]1 studyUngraded
Direct resin composite veneer vs Indirect resin composite veneer
Colour match (aesthetic achievement) · Patients with permanent anterior teeth with intrinsic staining suitable for laminate veneer restorations
Direct versus indirect veneer restorations for intrinsic dental stains (2004) · Cochrane
Planned outcome; colour match was not reported by the single included trial (Meijering 1998).0 studiesNo studies
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Non-occluding splint
Quality of life · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · 3 months or less
Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane
RR 0.12 [0.02, 0.90]1 studyUngraded
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Non-occluding splint
Overall improvement of symptoms · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · 3 months or less
Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane
RR 1.13 [0.79, 1.61]2 studiesUngraded
Stabilisation splint (SS) vs Jaw exercises
Overall improvement · Patients with pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) of all degrees of severity · up to 6 months
Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome (2004) · Cochrane
SS vs jaw exercises (Magnusson 1999): overall improvement at 3 months and greater than 3 months; no statistically significant between-group difference; a follow-up questionnaire 1 to 4 years later showed a lasting…1 studyUngraded
Fluoride varnish combined with fluoride toothpaste vs Fluoride toothpaste alone
Caries increment in deciduous teeth: d(e)fs (prevented fraction) · Children or adolescents aged 16 years or less · Nearest to 3 years
Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride… (2004) · Cochrane
PF 0.151 study · 173 participantsUngraded
Fluoride varnish vs Fluoride mouthrinse
Unacceptability of treatment (drop-outs) · Children or adolescents aged 16 or less at the start of the study
One topical fluoride (toothpastes, or mouthrinses, or gels, or varnishes) versus another for preventing… (2004) · Cochrane
RR 1.19 [0.86, 1.65]2 studiesUngraded
Ceramic inlays (all types) vs Composite resin inlay
Outcome NR · Adults who require restorative treatment in posterior teeth
Ceramic inlays for restoring posterior teeth (2003) · Cochrane
One randomised controlled trial (Gladys 1995) compared ceramic and resin composite inlays over 3 years, but it was excluded because the study design (parallel-group or split-mouth) was not clearly described; no…0 studiesNo studies
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment
Caries increment on permanent tooth surfaces (D(M)FS), prevented fraction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger (permanent dentition) · Nearest to 3 years, Placebo-controlled trials
Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane
PF 0.24 [0.22, 0.27]116 studiesUngraded
Ceramic inlays (all types) vs Amalgam
Outcome NR · Adults who require restorative treatment in posterior teeth
Ceramic inlays for restoring posterior teeth (2003) · Cochrane
No eligible randomised controlled trial comparing ceramic inlays with amalgam restorations was identified; this planned comparison could not be evaluated.0 studiesNo studies
Occlusal adjustment (OA) vs Placebo
Psychosocial outcomes · Adults (aged 18 years or older) with clinically diagnosed temporomandibular disorders (TMD)
Occlusal adjustment for treating and preventing temporomandibular joint disorders (2003) · Cochrane
There were no data on psychosocial outcomes, costs or quality of life in any of the trials.0 studiesNo studies
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment
Caries increment on primary (deciduous) tooth surfaces (d(e/m)fs), prevented fraction · Children with primary (deciduous) teeth (younger children) · Nearest to 3 years, Fluoride gel trials
Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane
PF 0.26 [-0.11, 0.63]2 studiesUngraded
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment
Caries increment on permanent whole teeth (D(M)FT), prevented fraction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger (permanent dentition) · Nearest to 3 years
Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane
PF 0.26 [0.21, 0.30]79 studiesUngraded
Occlusal adjustment (OA) vs Placebo
Headache (severity) · Adults (aged 18 years or older) with clinically diagnosed temporomandibular disorders (TMD)
Occlusal adjustment for treating and preventing temporomandibular joint disorders (2003) · Cochrane
OR 0.90 [0.13, 6.08]1 study · 18 participantsUngraded
Occlusal adjustment (OA) vs Reassurance
Pain (frequency) · Adults (aged 18 years or older) with clinically diagnosed temporomandibular disorders (TMD)
Occlusal adjustment for treating and preventing temporomandibular joint disorders (2003) · Cochrane
OR 0.13 [0.01, 2.58]1 study · 50 participantsUngraded
Occlusal adjustment (OA) vs Reassurance
Headache (frequency) · Adults (aged 18 years or older) with clinically diagnosed temporomandibular disorders (TMD)
Occlusal adjustment for treating and preventing temporomandibular joint disorders (2003) · Cochrane
OR 1.40 [0.45, 4.35]1 study · 50 participantsUngraded
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment
Caries increment on permanent whole teeth (D(M)FT), prevented fraction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger (permanent dentition) · Nearest to 3 years, Fluoride varnish trials
Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane
PF 0.53 [0.23, 0.82]3 studiesUngraded
Occlusal adjustment (OA) vs Placebo
Pain (severity) · Adults (aged 18 years or older) with clinically diagnosed temporomandibular disorders (TMD)
Occlusal adjustment for treating and preventing temporomandibular joint disorders (2003) · Cochrane
OR 0.5 [0.07, 3.85]1 study · 18 participantsUngraded
Topical fluoride therapy (toothpaste, mouthrinse, gel or varnish; any fluoride agent/concentration; frequency at least once a year) vs Placebo or no treatment
Caries increment on permanent tooth surfaces (D(M)FS), prevented fraction · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or younger (permanent dentition) · Nearest to 3 years
Topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels or varnishes) for preventing dental caries in children and… (2003) · Cochrane
PF 0.26 [0.23, 0.29]133 studies · 65169 participantsUngraded
Fluoride toothpaste vs Placebo (non-fluoride) toothpaste
Enamel fluorosis (adverse effect) · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or less · At least 1 year
Fluoride toothpastes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents (2003) · Cochrane
Fluorosis data have not been reported in any of the trials.0 studiesNo studies
Fluoride toothpaste vs Placebo (non-fluoride) toothpaste
Caries increment in permanent teeth: decayed, (missing) and filled tooth surfaces D(M)FS (prevented fraction) · Children and adolescents aged 16 years or less · At least 1 year
Fluoride toothpastes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents (2003) · Cochrane
PF 0.24 [0.21, 0.28]70 studies · 42300 participantsUngraded