This is an archived version of the Handbook.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

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

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

randomized controlled trial [pt]

controlled clinical trial [pt]

randomized [tiab]

placebo [tiab]

clinical trials as topic [mesh: noexp] 

randomly [tiab]

trial [ti]

#1 OR #2 OR #3 OR #4 OR #5 OR #6 OR #7

animals [mh] NOT humans [mh]

#8 NOT #9
PubMed search syntax 

[pt] denotes a Publication Type term;

[tiab] denotes a word in the title or abstract;

[sh] denotes a subheading;

[mh] denotes a Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) term (‘exploded’); 

[mesh: noexp] denotes a Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) term (not ‘exploded’);

[ti] denotes a word in the title.