Gap finder
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.
731 questions in 61 reviews · Drugs and Alcohol
current versionsNo studies 57 · 7.8%Ungraded 39 · 5.3%Very low 186 · 25.4%Low 239 · 32.7%Moderate 171 · 23.4%High 39 · 5.3%
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.
| Question | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Motivational interviewing vs no intervention Extent of substance use at medium‐term · people with substance use (adults, young adults, adolescents) Motivational interviewing for substance use reduction (2023) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 16 studies · 3137 participants | Low |
Motivational interviewing vs no intervention Extent of substance use at long‐term · people with substance use (adults, young adults, adolescents) Motivational interviewing for substance use reduction (2023) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 9 studies · 1525 participants | Very low |
Motivational interviewing vs no intervention Readiness to change (3‐ to 12‐month · people with substance use (adults, young adults, adolescents) Motivational interviewing for substance use reduction (2023) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 5 studies · 1495 participants | Very low |
Motivational interviewing vs no intervention Retention in treatment (0‐ to 3‐month · people with substance use (adults, young adults, adolescents) Motivational interviewing for substance use reduction (2023) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 2 studies · 427 participants | Very low |
Motivational interviewing vs treatment Extent of substance use post‐intervention · people with substance use (adults, young adults, adolescents) Motivational interviewing for substance use reduction (2023) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 5 studies · 976 participants | Very low |
Motivational interviewing vs treatment Extent of substance use at short‐term · people with substance use (adults, young adults, adolescents) Motivational interviewing for substance use reduction (2023) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 14 studies · 3066 participants | Low |
Motivational interviewing vs treatment Extent of substance use at medium‐term · people with substance use (adults, young adults, adolescents) Motivational interviewing for substance use reduction (2023) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 9 studies · 1624 participants | Low |
Summary of findings table ‐ Baclofen vs placebo Relapse: return to any drinking at end of treatment · alcohol use disorder Baclofen for alcohol use disorder (2023) · Cochrane | RR 0.87 [0.77, 0.99] | 12 studies · 1057 participants | Moderate |
Summary of findings table ‐ Baclofen vs acamprosate Dropouts at end of treatment · alcohol use disorder Baclofen for alcohol use disorder (2023) · Cochrane | RR 0.56 [0.21, 1.46] | 1 study · 60 participants | Very low |
Summary of findings table ‐ Baclofen vs acamprosate Dropouts due to adverse events · alcohol use disorder Baclofen for alcohol use disorder (2023) · Cochrane | RR 0.33 [0.01, 7.87] | 1 study · 60 participants | Very low |
Summary of findings table ‐ Baclofen vs naltrexone Relapse: return to any drinking at end of treatment · alcohol use disorder Baclofen for alcohol use disorder (2023) · Cochrane | RR 2.5 [1.12, 5.56] | 1 study · 60 participants | Very low |
Summary of findings table ‐ Baclofen vs naltrexone Adverse events: number of participants with ≥ 1 adverse event at end of treatment · alcohol use disorder Baclofen for alcohol use disorder (2023) · Cochrane | RR 0.35 [0.15, 0.8] | 2 studies · 80 participants | Very low |
Summary of findings table ‐ Baclofen vs naltrexone Dropouts at end of treatment · alcohol use disorder Baclofen for alcohol use disorder (2023) · Cochrane | RR 1 [0.32, 3.1] | 1 study · 60 participants | Very low |
Summary of findings table ‐ Baclofen vs placebo Frequency of use: % days abstinence at end of treatment · alcohol use disorder Baclofen for alcohol use disorder (2023) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 16 studies · 1273 participants | High |
Summary of findings table ‐ Baclofen vs placebo Frequency of use: heavy drinking days at end of treatment · alcohol use disorder Baclofen for alcohol use disorder (2023) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 13 studies · 840 participants | Moderate |
Summary of findings table ‐ Baclofen vs placebo Amount of use: drink per drinking days at end of treatment · alcohol use disorder Baclofen for alcohol use disorder (2023) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 9 studies · 392 participants | Moderate |
Summary of findings table ‐ Baclofen vs placebo Adverse events: number of participants with ≥ 1 adverse event at end of treatment · alcohol use disorder Baclofen for alcohol use disorder (2023) · Cochrane | RR 1.05 [0.99, 1.11] | 10 studies · 738 participants | High |
Summary of findings table ‐ Baclofen vs placebo Dropouts at end of treatment · alcohol use disorder Baclofen for alcohol use disorder (2023) · Cochrane | RR 0.88 [0.74, 1.03] | 17 studies · 1563 participants | High |
Summary of findings table ‐ Baclofen vs placebo Dropouts due to adverse events · alcohol use disorder Baclofen for alcohol use disorder (2023) · Cochrane | RR 1.39 [0.89, 2.18] | 16 studies · 1499 participants | High |
Summary of findings table ‐ Baclofen vs acamprosate Relapse: return to any drinking at end of treatment · alcohol use disorder Baclofen for alcohol use disorder (2023) · Cochrane | RR 1.25 [0.71, 2.2] | 1 study · 60 participants | Very low |
Summary of findings table ‐ Baclofen vs acamprosate Adverse events: number of participants with at least one adverse event at end of treatment · alcohol use disorder Baclofen for alcohol use disorder (2023) · Cochrane | RR 0.63 [0.23, 1.69] | 1 study · 60 participants | Very low |
Pharmacologic intervention vs placebo Harmful alcohol use · individuals with alcohol use disorder Psychosocial and pharmacologic interventions to reduce harmful alcohol use in low‐ and middle‐income countries (2023) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 0 studies · 0 participants | Ungraded |
Pharmacologic intervention vs another pharmacologic intervention Different comparators · individuals with alcohol use disorder Psychosocial and pharmacologic interventions to reduce harmful alcohol use in low‐ and middle‐income countries (2023) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 participants | Ungraded |
Brief interventions vs brief advice, information, or assessment only Harmful alcohol use (continuous) · individuals with hazardous or harmful alcohol use Psychosocial and pharmacologic interventions to reduce harmful alcohol use in low‐ and middle‐income countries (2023) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 17 studies · 3913 participants | Very low |
Brief interventions vs brief advice, information, or assessment only Harmful alcohol use (dichotomous) · individuals with hazardous or harmful alcohol use Psychosocial and pharmacologic interventions to reduce harmful alcohol use in low‐ and middle‐income countries (2023) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 4 studies · 1349 participants | Very low |
Brief interventions vs brief advice, information, or assessment only Retention · individuals with hazardous or harmful alcohol use Psychosocial and pharmacologic interventions to reduce harmful alcohol use in low‐ and middle‐income countries (2023) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 12 studies · 5380 participants | Very low |
Other psychosocial intervention vs usual care, brief intervention, or wait list Harmful alcohol use · individuals with hazardous or harmful alcohol use Psychosocial and pharmacologic interventions to reduce harmful alcohol use in low‐ and middle‐income countries (2023) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 12 studies · 2106 participants | Very low |
Other psychosocial intervention vs usual care, brief intervention, or wait list Retention · individuals with hazardous or harmful alcohol use Psychosocial and pharmacologic interventions to reduce harmful alcohol use in low‐ and middle‐income countries (2023) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 9 studies · 1664 participants | Very low |
Pharmacologic intervention vs placebo Retention · individuals with alcohol use disorder Psychosocial and pharmacologic interventions to reduce harmful alcohol use in low‐ and middle‐income countries (2023) · Cochrane | RR 1.13 [0.89, 1.44] | 3 studies · 247 participants | Low |
Pharmacologic intervention along with psychosocial intervention vs psychosocial intervention alone Harmful alcohol use (continuous) · individuals with alcohol use disorder Psychosocial and pharmacologic interventions to reduce harmful alcohol use in low‐ and middle‐income countries (2023) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 4 studies · 475 participants | Low |
Pharmacologic intervention along with psychosocial intervention vs psychosocial intervention alone Harmful alcohol use (dichotomous) · individuals with alcohol use disorder Psychosocial and pharmacologic interventions to reduce harmful alcohol use in low‐ and middle‐income countries (2023) · Cochrane | RR 0.62 [0.16, 2.47] | 1 study · 102 participants | Very low |
Pharmacologic intervention along with psychosocial intervention vs psychosocial intervention alone Retention · individuals with alcohol use disorder Psychosocial and pharmacologic interventions to reduce harmful alcohol use in low‐ and middle‐income countries (2023) · Cochrane | RR 1.15 [0.95, 1.4] | 3 studies · 363 participants | Moderate |
Pharmacologic intervention vs another pharmacologic intervention Harmful alcohol use ‐ not measured · individuals with alcohol use disorder Psychosocial and pharmacologic interventions to reduce harmful alcohol use in low‐ and middle‐income countries (2023) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Pharmacologic intervention vs another pharmacologic intervention Retention · individuals with alcohol use disorder Psychosocial and pharmacologic interventions to reduce harmful alcohol use in low‐ and middle‐income countries (2023) · Cochrane | RR 0.95 [0.76, 1.19] | 2 studies · 190 participants | Low |
Pharmacologic intervention vs another pharmacologic intervention Harmful alcohol use ‐ not measured · individuals with alcohol use disorder Psychosocial and pharmacologic interventions to reduce harmful alcohol use in low‐ and middle‐income countries (2023) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Pharmacologic intervention vs another pharmacologic intervention Retention · individuals with alcohol use disorder Psychosocial and pharmacologic interventions to reduce harmful alcohol use in low‐ and middle‐income countries (2023) · Cochrane | RR 1.02 [0.96, 1.08] | 2 studies · 200 participants | Low |
Full opioid agonists vs different full opioid agonists or partial opioid agonists (methadone versus buprenorphine) Illicit opioid use · people dependent on pharmaceutical opioids Opioid agonist treatment for people who are dependent on pharmaceutical opioids (2022) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 1 study · 129 participants | Moderate |
Full or partial opioid agonist maintenance vs placebo, detoxification only or psychological treatment (buprenorphine maintenance compared to taper or treatment Adverse events · pharmaceutical opioid dependent people Opioid agonist treatment for people who are dependent on pharmaceutical opioids (2022) · Cochrane | RR 0.5 [0.07, 3.48] | 3 studies · 252 participants | Very low |
Full opioid agonists vs different full opioid agonists or partial opioid agonists (methadone versus buprenorphine) Illicit opioid use · people dependent on pharmaceutical opioids Opioid agonist treatment for people who are dependent on pharmaceutical opioids (2022) · Cochrane | RR 0.81 [0.57, 1.17] | 3 studies · 206 participants | Low |
Full opioid agonists vs different full opioid agonists or partial opioid agonists (methadone versus buprenorphine) Illicit opioid use · people dependent on pharmaceutical opioids Opioid agonist treatment for people who are dependent on pharmaceutical opioids (2022) · Cochrane | RR 0.49 [0.28, 0.86] | 3 studies · 165 participants | Low |
Full opioid agonists vs different full opioid agonists or partial opioid agonists (methadone versus buprenorphine) Retention · people dependent on pharmaceutical opioids Opioid agonist treatment for people who are dependent on pharmaceutical opioids (2022) · Cochrane | RR 1.21 [1.02, 1.43] | 4 studies · 379 participants | Low |
Full opioid agonists vs different full opioid agonists or partial opioid agonists (methadone versus buprenorphine) Adverse effects · people dependent on pharmaceutical opioids Opioid agonist treatment for people who are dependent on pharmaceutical opioids (2022) · Cochrane | RR 0.45 [0.09, 2.41] | 3 studies · 206 participants | Low |
Full or partial opioid agonist maintenance vs placebo, detoxification only or psychological treatment (buprenorphine maintenance compared to taper or treatment Days of unsanctioned opioid use (as number of days/30 or days/7) · pharmaceutical opioid dependent people Opioid agonist treatment for people who are dependent on pharmaceutical opioids (2022) · Cochrane | SMD 0.19 | 3 studies · 205 participants | Low |
Full or partial opioid agonist maintenance vs placebo, detoxification only or psychological treatment (buprenorphine maintenance compared to taper or treatment Self‐reported opioid use at treatment completion · pharmaceutical opioid dependent people Opioid agonist treatment for people who are dependent on pharmaceutical opioids (2022) · Cochrane | RR 0.63 [0.39, 1.01] | 4 studies · 276 participants | Very low |
Full or partial opioid agonist maintenance vs placebo, detoxification only or psychological treatment (buprenorphine maintenance compared to taper or treatment Opioid use · pharmaceutical opioid dependent people Opioid agonist treatment for people who are dependent on pharmaceutical opioids (2022) · Cochrane | RR 0.66 [0.52, 0.84] | 4 studies · 270 participants | Low |
Full or partial opioid agonist maintenance vs placebo, detoxification only or psychological treatment (buprenorphine maintenance compared to taper or treatment Retention: proportion of participants retained in treatment · pharmaceutical opioid dependent people Opioid agonist treatment for people who are dependent on pharmaceutical opioids (2022) · Cochrane | RR 3.02 [1.73, 5.27] | 4 studies · 333 participants | Moderate |
Music therapy plus standard care vs standard care alone Psychological symptoms (depression) · people with substance use disorders Music therapy for people with substance use disorders (2022) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 3 studies · 100 participants | Moderate |
Music therapy plus standard care vs active intervention plus standard care Motivation for treatment/change · people with substance use disorders Music therapy for people with substance use disorders (2022) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 5 studies · 411 participants | Moderate |
Music therapy plus standard care vs active intervention plus standard care Motivation to stay sober/clean · people with substance use disorders Music therapy for people with substance use disorders (2022) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 3 studies · 258 participants | Moderate |
Music therapy plus standard care vs active intervention plus standard care Retention in treatment · people with substance use disorders Music therapy for people with substance use disorders (2022) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |