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Evidence synthesis 

York trials Unit is skilled in bringing together scientific information from a range of sources and disciplines to address research questions. 

We are experienced in systematic reviews, meta-analysis, scoping reviews and qualitative evidence synthesis methods for both clinical and methodological topics. We use these methods when deciding whether a new randomised controlled trial is required, for example. Or to inform the design of future research and embed the findings of our trials in a wider context. Many of our doctoral students undertake evidence synthesis projects as part of their training programme.

Systematic review and cost-effectiveness analysis on management of frozen shoulder
Together with colleagues in the University of York Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, York Trials Unit led a systematic review and cost-effectiveness analysis on management of frozen shoulder. (Read about the review.) It informed the design of the UK-FROST trial, comparing three different treatment options for primary frozen shoulder. (Read The Lancet publication).

Following completion of the trial, we updated the systematic review to put the new trial findings in the context of the wider evidence. (Read the trial findings).

Examples of our evidence synthesis publications are listed below. Reviews undertaken as part of a project are available on the relevant project webpage.

Mott A, McDaid C, Hewitt C and Kirkham JJ. Stage 1 Registered Report. Interventions for improving the design and conduct of scientific research: A scoping review [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]. NIHR Open Res2022, 2:4 (https://doi.org/10.3310/nihropenres.13252.1)

Leggett H, Scantlebury A, Byrne A, Harden M, Hewitt C, O’Carroll G, Sharma H, McDaid C. Exploring what is important to patients with regards to quality of life after experiencing a lower limb reconstructive procedure: a qualitative evidence synthesis. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 2021; 19:158

Scrimshire AB, Booth A, Fairhurst C, Kotze A, Reed M, McDaid C.  Preoperative iron treatment in anaemic patients undergoing elective total hip or knee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open 2020;10:e036592. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-036592

Booth A, Mitchell AS, Mott A James S, Cockayne S, Gascoyne S, McDaid C. An assessment of the extent to which the contents of PROSPERO records meet the systematic review protocol reporting items in PRISMA-P [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]. F1000Research 2020, 9:773 https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.25181.2) 

Mott A, Bradley T, Wright K, et al. Effect of Vitamin K on Bone Mineral Density and Fractures in Adults. An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials 2019. Article. DOI: 10.1007/s00198-019-04949-0.

Parker A, Beresford B, Dawson V, Elphick H, Fairhurst C, Hewitt C, Scantlebury A, Spiers G, Thomas M, Wright K, McDaid C. Oral melatonin for non-respiratory sleep disturbances in children with neurodisabilities: systematic review and meta-analysis. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology 2019 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.14157