This is an archived version of the Handbook. For the current version, please go to training.cochrane.org/handbook/current.

Box 6.4.c: Cochrane Highly Sensitive Search Strategy for identifying randomized trials in MEDLINE: sensitivity-maximizing version (2008 revision); Ovid format

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

randomized controlled trial.pt.

controlled clinical trial.pt.

randomized.ab.

placebo.ab.

drug therapy.fs.

randomly.ab.

trial.ab.

groups.ab.

1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8

exp animals/ not humans.sh.

9 not 10 
Ovid search syntax

.pt. denotes a Publication Type term;

.ab. denotes a word in the abstract;

.fs. denotes a ‘floating’ subheading;

.sh. denotes a Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) term;

.ti. denotes a word in the title.