Ácidos grasos poliinsaturados(AGPI) para los niños con trastornos específicos de aprendizaje
Appendices
Appendix 1. Search strategies 2012 onwards
Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in the Cochrane Library, which includes the Cochrane Developmental, Psychosocial and Learning Problems Group Specialised Register
2014, issue 9. Searched 14 October 2014. Limited to publication year=2012‐2014 [4 records]
2015, issue 10. Searched 19 November 2015. Limited to publication year=2014‐2015 [1 record]
#1 MeSH descriptor Fatty Acids, this term only
#2 MeSH descriptor Fatty Acids, Omega‐3 explode tree 1
#3 MeSH descriptor Fatty Acids, Omega‐6, this term only
#4 (omega NEXT 3 or omega NEXT 6)
#5 ((eicosa* or icosa* or docosahex* or alpha‐linol*) NEXT acid*)
#6 poly NEXT unsaturat* NEXT fatty NEXT acid*
#7 polyunsaturat* NEXT fatty NEXT acid*
#8 ( fatty NEXT acid*) NEAR/3 (n NEXT 3 or n NEXT 6)
#9 essential NEXT fatty NEXT acid*
#10 PUFA*
#11 MeSH descriptor Fish Oils, this term only
#12 MeSH descriptor Linseed Oil, this term only
#13 (EFA or EPA or MaxEPA or DHA or ALA)
#14 (oil* NEAR/3 (fish* or flax or linseed))
#15 (#1 OR #2 OR #3 OR #4 OR #5 OR #6 OR #7 OR #8 OR #9 OR #10 OR #11 OR #12 OR #13 OR #14)
#16 MeSH descriptor Learning Disorders, this term only
#17 MeSH descriptor Dyslexia, this term only
#18 (learn* NEAR/3 (difficult* or disorder* or disabilit* or deficien* or problem*))
#19 (academic skill* NEAR/3 disorder*)
#20 (scholastic skill* NEAR/3 disorder*)
#21 dyslexi*
#22 (reading* NEAR/3 (abilit* or accurac* or comprehension or disorder* or disabilit* or difficult* or deficien* or fluenc* or problem* or speed*))
#23 ((word or text) NEXT blind*)
#24 MeSH descriptor Mathematics, this term only
#25 dyscalcul*
#26 ((math* or arithmetic*) near/3 (abilit* or disorder* or disabilit* or problem* or difficult* or deficien* or fluenc* or skill*))
#27 MeSH descriptor Writing, this term only
#28 MeSH descriptor Agraphia, this term only
#29 agraphia* or dysgraphia*
#30 (spell* near/3 (abilit* or disorder or disabilit* or problem* or difficult* or deficien* or fluenc* or skill*))
#31 (writing NEAR/3 (abilit* or disorder or disabilit* or problem* or difficult* or deficien* or fluenc* or skill*))
#32 written NEXT expression NEXT disorder*
#33 (#16 OR #17 OR #18 OR #19 OR #20 OR #21 OR #22 OR #23 OR #24 OR #25 OR #26 OR #27 OR #28 OR #29 OR #30 OR #31 OR #32)
#34 (#15 AND #33)
Ovid MEDLINE
1946 to October Week 1 2014. Limited to date added=20120401‐20141014 [6 records]
1946 to November Week 2 2015. Limited to date added=20141001‐20151112 [No records]
1 Fatty Acids/
2 fatty acids, unsaturated/
3 exp fatty acids, omega‐3/
4 exp fatty acids, omega‐6/
5 alpha‐linolenic acid/
6 docosahexaenoic acids/
7 eicosapentaenoic acid/
8 (omega 3 or omega 6).tw.
9 ((eicosa$ or icosa$ or docosahex$ or alpha‐linol$) adj acid$).tw.
10 polyunsaturat$ fatty acid$.tw.
11 poly‐unsaturat$ fatty acid$.tw.
12 (fatty acid$ adj3 (n‐3 or n‐6)).tw.
13 essential fatty acid$.tw.
14 PUFA.tw.
15 Fish Oils/
16 linseed oil/
17 (EFA or EPA or MaxEPA or DHA or ALA).tw.
18 (oil$ adj3 (fish$ or flax or linseed)).tw.
19 or/1‐18
20 Learning Disorders/
21 (learn$ adj3 (difficult$ or disorder$ or disabilit$ or deficien$ or problem$)).tw.
22 (academic skill$ adj3 disorder$).tw.
23 (scholastic skill$ adj3 disorder$).tw.
24 Dyslexia/
25 dyslexi$.tw.
26 (reading$ adj3 (abilit$ or accurac$ or comprehension or disorder$ or disabilit$ or difficult$ or deficien$ or fluenc$ or problem$ or speed$)).tw.
27 ((word or text) adj blind$).tw.
28 Mathematics/
29 dyscalcul$.tw.
30 ((math$ or arithmetic$) adj3 (abilit$ or disorder$ or disabilit$ or problem$ or difficult$ or deficien$ or fluenc$ or skill$)).tw.
31 Writing/
32 Agraphia/
33 (agraphia$ or dysgraphia$).tw.
34 (spell$ adj3 (abilit$ or disorder or disabilit$ or problem$ or difficult$ or deficien$ or fluenc$ or skill$)).tw.
35 (writing adj3 (abilit$ or disorder or disabilit$ or problem$ or difficult$ or deficien$ or fluenc$ or skill$)).tw.
36 written expression disorder$.tw.
37 or/20‐36
38 19 and 37
39 randomized controlled trial.pt.
40 controlled clinical trial.pt.
41 randomi#ed.ab.
42 placebo$.ab.
43 drug therapy.fs.
44 randomly.ab.
45 trial.ab.
46 groups.ab.
47 or/39‐46
48 exp animals/ not humans.sh.
49 47 not 48
50 38 and 49
Embase Ovid
1980 to 2014 Week 41. Searched 14 October 2014. Limited to publication year= 2012‐current [16 records]
1980 to 2015 Week 46. Searched 19 November 2015. Limited to EM=201441‐201546 [5 records]
1 fatty acid/
2 omega 3 fatty acid/ or omega 6 fatty acid/
3 docosahexaenoic acid/
4 linolenic acid/
5 icosapentaenoic acid/
6 (omega 3 or omega 6).tw.
7 ((eicosa$ or icosa$ or docosahex$ or alpha‐linol$) adj acid$).tw.
8 polyunsaturat$ fatty acid$.tw.
9 poly‐unsaturat$ fatty acid$.tw.
10 (fatty acid$ adj3 n‐3).tw.
11 essential fatty acid$.tw.
12 PUFA.tw.
13 Fish Oils/
14 linseed oil/
15 (EFA or EPA or MaxEPA or DHA or ALA).tw.
16 (oil$ adj3 (fish$ or flax or linseed)).tw.
17 or/1‐16
18 learning disorder/
19 (learn$ adj3 (difficult$ or disorder$ or disabilit$ or deficien$ or problem$)).tw.
20 (academic skill$ adj3 disorder$).tw.
21 (scholastic skill$ adj3 disorder$).tw.
22 dyslexia/
23 dyslexi$.tw.
24 (reading$ adj3 (abilit$ or accurac$ or comprehension or disorder$ or disabilit$ or difficult$ or deficien$ or fluenc$ or problem$ or speed$)).tw.
25 ((word or text) adj blind$).tw.
26 Mathematics/
27 dyscalcul$.tw.
28 ((math$ or arithmetic$) adj3 (abilit$ or disorder$ or disabilit$ or problem$ or difficult$ or deficien$ or fluenc$ or skill$)).tw.
29 Writing/
30 Agraphia/
31 (agraphia$ or dysgraphia$).tw.
32 (spell$ adj3 (abilit$ or disorder or disabilit$ or problem$ or difficult$ or deficien$ or fluenc$ or skill$)).tw.
33 (writing adj3 (abilit$ or disorder or disabilit$ or problem$ or difficult$ or deficien$ or fluenc$ or skill$)).tw.
34 written expression disorder$.tw.
35 or/18‐34
36 exp Clinical trial/
37 Randomized controlled trial/
38 Randomization/
39 Single blind procedure/
40 Double blind procedure/
41 Crossover procedure/
42 Placebo/
43 Randomi#ed.tw.
44 RCT.tw.
45 (random$ adj3 (allocat$ or assign$)).tw.
46 randomly.ab.
47 groups.ab.
48 trial.ab.
49 ((singl$ or doubl$ or trebl$ or tripl$) adj3 (blind$ or mask$)).tw.
50 Placebo$.tw.
51 Prospective study/
52 (crossover or cross‐over).tw.
53 prospective.tw.
54 or/36‐53
55 17 and 35 and 54
PsycINFO Ovid
1967 to October Week 2 2014. Searched 14 October 2014. Limited to UP=20120401‐20141014 [10 records]
1967 to November Week 2 2015. Searched 19 November 2015. Limited to UP=20141010‐20151109 [3 records]
1 Fatty Acids/
2 (omega 3 or omega 6).tw.
3 (eicosa$ or icosa$ or docosahex$ or alpha‐linol$).tw.
4 fatty acid$.tw.
5 (PUFA or PUFAs).tw.
6 (EFA or EPA or MaxEPA or DHA or ALA).tw.
7 (fish$ oil$ or flax oil$ or linseed oil$).tw.
8 Learning Disabilities/ or Dyslexia/ or Reading/
9 (learn$ adj3 (difficult$ or disorder$ or disabilit$ or deficien$ or problem$)).tw.
10 (academic skill$ adj3 disorder$).tw.
11 (scholastic skill$ adj3 disorder$).tw.
12 dyslexi$.tw.
13 (reading$ adj3 (abilit$ or accurac$ or comprehension or disorder$ or disabilit$ or difficult$ or deficien$ or fluenc$ or problem$ or speed$)).tw.
14 ((word or text) adj blind$).tw.
15 Mathematics/
16 dyscalcul$.tw.
17 ((math$ or arithmetic$) adj3 (abilit$ or disorder$ or disabilit$ or problem$ or difficult$ or deficien$ or fluenc$ or skill$)).tw.
18 Spelling/ or Handwriting/
19 written expression disorder$.tw.
20 (agraphia$ or dysgraphia$).tw.
21 (spell$ adj3 (abilit$ or disorder or disabilit$ or problem$ or difficult$ or deficien$ or fluenc$ or skill$)).tw.
22 (writing adj3 (abilit$ or disorder or disabilit$ or problem$ or difficult$ or deficien$ or fluenc$ or skill$)).tw.
23 or/1‐7
24 or/8‐22
25 23 and 24
ERIC EBSCO (Education Resources Information Center)
1966 to current. Searched 10 October 2014. Limited to publication year 2012 to 2014 [10 records]
1966 to current. Searched 19 November 2015. Limited to publication year 2014 to 2015 [18 records]
S23 S10 AND S22
S22 S11 OR S12 OR S13 OR S14 OR S15 OR S16 OR S17 OR S18 OR S19 OR S20 OR S21
S21 (learn* N3 (difficult* OR disorder* OR disabilit* OR deficien* OR problem*))
S20 (reading* N3 (abilit* OR accurac* OR comprehension OR disorder* OR disabilit* OR difficult* OR deficien* OR fluenc* OR problem* OR speed*))
S19 ((math* OR arithmetic*) N3 (abilit* OR disorder* OR disabilit* OR problem* OR difficult* OR deficien* OR fluenc* OR skill*))
S18 (spell* N3 (abilit* OR disorder OR disabilit* OR problem* OR difficult* OR deficien* OR fluenc* OR skill*))
S17 (writing N3 (abilit* OR disorder OR disabilit* OR problem* OR difficult* OR deficien* OR fluenc* OR skill*))
S16 ("academic skill* disorder*" OR "scholastic skill* disorder*" OR "written expression disorder*")
S15 (dyslexi* OR dyscalcul* OR agraphia* OR dysgraphia*)
S14 DE "Reading Difficulties"
S13 DE "Learning Disabilities" OR DE "Learning Problems"
S12 DE "Writing Difficulties"
S11 DE "Dyslexia"
S10 S1 OR S2 OR S3 OR S4 OR S5 OR S6 OR S7 OR S8 OR S9
S9 (oil* N3 (fish* OR linseed* OR flax*))
S8 EFA OR EPA OR MaxEPA OR DHA OR ALA
S7 alpha‐linol* OR alpha linol*
S6 eicosa* or icosa* OR docosahex*
S5 PUFA OR PUFAS
S4 FATTY ACID*
S3 fatty acid*
S2 OMEGA 6
S1 OMEGA 3
Science Citation Index ‐ Expanded Web of Science (SCI)
1970 to 10 October 2014. Searched 14 October 2014. Limited to publication year 2012 to 2014 [22 records]
1970 to 19 November 2015. Seached 20 November 2015. Limited to publication year 2014 to 2015 [5 records]
19 #18 AND #17
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#18 TS=(random* or control* or trial* or groups* or effectiveness or evaluation or placebo*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#17 #16 AND #7
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#16 #15 OR #14 OR #13 OR #12 OR #11 OR #10 OR #9 OR #8
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#15 TS=(written expression disorder*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#14 TS=(writing* abilit* or writing* accurac* or writing* comprehension or writing* disorder* or writing* disabilit* or writing* difficult* or writing* deficien* or writing* fluenc* or writing* problem* or writing* speed*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#13 TS=(spell* abilit* or spell* accurac* or spell* comprehension or spell* disorder* or spell* disabilit* or spell* difficult* or spell* deficien* or spell* fluenc* or spell* problem* or spell* speed*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#12 TS= (math* abilit* or math* accurac* or math* comprehension or math* disorder* or math* disabilit* or math* difficult* or math* deficien* or math* fluenc* or math* problem* or math* speed*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#11 TS=(reading abilit* or reading accurac* or reading comprehension or reading disorder* or reading disabilit* or reading difficult* or reading deficien* or reading fluenc* or reading problem* or reading speed*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#10 TS = (dyslexi* or dyscalcul* or agraphia* or dysgraphia*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#9 TS= (academic skill* disorder* or scholastic skill* disorder*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#8 Ts=(learn* difficult* or learn* disorder* or learn* disabilit* or learn* deficien* or learn* problem*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#7 #6 OR #5 OR #4 OR #3 OR #2 OR #1
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#6 TS =(EFA or EPA or MaxEPA or DHA or ALA)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#5 TS= (oil* SAME (fish* or flax or linseed))
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#4 TS=(PUFA*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#3 TS= ((eicosa*or icosa* or docosahex* or alpha‐linol*) SAME acid*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#2 TS=(omega 3 or omega 6)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#1 TS=(fatty acid*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
Social Sciences Citation Index Web of Science (SSCI)
1970 to 10 October 2014. Searched 14 October 2014. Limited to publication year 2012 to 2014 [73 records]
1970 to 19 November 2015. Searched 19 November 2015. Limited to publication year 2014 to 2015 [5 records]
19 #18 AND #17
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#18 TS=(random* or control* or trial* or groups* or effectiveness or evaluation or placebo*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#17 #16 AND #7
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#16 #15 OR #14 OR #13 OR #12 OR #11 OR #10 OR #9 OR #8
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#15 TS=(written expression disorder*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#14 TS=(writing* abilit* or writing* accurac* or writing* comprehension or writing* disorder* or writing* disabilit* or writing* difficult* or writing* deficien* or writing* fluenc* or writing* problem* or writing* speed*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#13 TS=(spell* abilit* or spell* accurac* or spell* comprehension or spell* disorder* or spell* disabilit* or spell* difficult* or spell* deficien* or spell* fluenc* or spell* problem* or spell* speed*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#12 TS= (math* abilit* or math* accurac* or math* comprehension or math* disorder* or math* disabilit* or math* difficult* or math* deficien* or math* fluenc* or math* problem* or math* speed*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#11 TS=(reading abilit* or reading accurac* or reading comprehension or reading disorder* or reading disabilit* or reading difficult* or reading deficien* or reading fluenc* or reading problem* or reading speed*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#10 TS = (dyslexi* or dyscalcul* or agraphia* or dysgraphia*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#9 TS= (academic skill* disorder* or scholastic skill* disorder*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#8 Ts=(learn* difficult* or learn* disorder* or learn* disabilit* or learn* deficien* or learn* problem*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#7 #6 OR #5 OR #4 OR #3 OR #2 OR #1
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#6 TS =(EFA or EPA or MaxEPA or DHA or ALA)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#5 TS= (oil* SAME (fish* or flax or linseed))
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#4 TS=(PUFA*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#3 TS= ((eicosa* or icosa* or docosahex* or alpha‐linol*) SAME acid*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#2 TS=(omega 3 or omega 6)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#1 TS=(fatty acid*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
Conference Proceedings Citation Indexes Web of Science
Conference Proceedings Citation Index ‐ Science (CPCI‐S) and Conference Proceedings Citation Index ‐ Social Science and Humanities (CPCI‐SS&H)
1990 to 10 October 2014. Searched 14 October 2014. Limited to publication year 2012 to 2014 [5 records]
1990 to 19 November 2015. Searched 19 November 2015. Limited to publication year 2014 to 2015 [No records]
19 #18 AND #17
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#18 TS=(random* or control* or trial* or groups* or effectiveness or evaluation or placebo*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#17 #16 AND #7
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#16 #15 OR #14 OR #13 OR #12 OR #11 OR #10 OR #9 OR #8
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#15 TS=(written expression disorder*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#14 TS=(writing* abilit* or writing* accurac* or writing* comprehension or writing* disorder* or writing* disabilit* or writing* difficult* or writing* deficien* or writing* fluenc* or writing* problem* or writing* speed*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#13 TS=(spell* abilit* or spell* accurac* or spell* comprehension or spell* disorder* or spell* disabilit* or spell* difficult* or spell* deficien* or spell* fluenc* or spell* problem* or spell* speed*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#12 TS= (math* abilit* or math* accurac* or math* comprehension or math* disorder* or math* disabilit* or math* difficult* or math* deficien* or math* fluenc* or math* problem* or math* speed*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#11 TS=(reading abilit* or reading accurac* or reading comprehension or reading disorder* or reading disabilit* or reading difficult* or reading deficien* or reading fluenc* or reading problem* or reading speed*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#10 TS = (dyslexi* or dyscalcul* or agraphia* or dysgraphia*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#9 TS= (academic skill* disorder* or scholastic skill* disorder*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#8 Ts=(learn* difficult* or learn* disorder* or learn* disabilit* or learn* deficien* or learn* problem*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#7 #6 OR #5 OR #4 OR #3 OR #2 OR #1
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#6 TS =(EFA or EPA or MaxEPA or DHA or ALA)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#5 TS= (oil* SAME (fish* or flax or linseed))
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#4 TS=(PUFA*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#3 TS= ((eicosa*or icosa* or docosahex* or alpha‐linol*) SAME acid*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#2 TS=(omega 3 or omega 6)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#1 TS=(fatty acid*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) and Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE) in the Cochrane Library
CDSR: 2014, issue 10. Searched 14 October 2014 [2 records]
CDSR: 2015, issue 11. Searched 19 November 2015 [No records]
DARE: 2014, issue 3. Searched 14 October 2014 [No records]
DARE: 2015, issue 2. Searched 19 November 2015 [No records]
#1 MeSH descriptor Fatty Acids, this term only
#2 MeSH descriptor Fatty Acids, Omega‐3 explode tree 1
#3 MeSH descriptor Fatty Acids, Omega‐6, this term only
#4 (omega NEXT 3 or omega NEXT 6)
#5 ((eicosa* or icosa* or docosahex* or alpha‐linol*) NEXT acid*)
#6 poly NEXT unsaturat* NEXT fatty NEXT acid*
#7 polyunsaturat* NEXT fatty NEXT acid*
#8 ( fatty NEXT acid*) NEAR/3 (n NEXT 3 or n NEXT 6)
#9 essential NEXT fatty NEXT acid*
#10 PUFA*
#11 MeSH descriptor Fish Oils, this term only
#12 MeSH descriptor Linseed Oil, this term only
#13 (EFA or EPA or MaxEPA or DHA or ALA)
#14 (oil* NEAR/3 (fish* or flax or linseed))
#15 (#1 OR #2 OR #3 OR #4 OR #5 OR #6 OR #7 OR #8 OR #9 OR #10 OR #11 OR #12 OR #13 OR #14)
#16 MeSH descriptor Learning Disorders, this term only
#17 MeSH descriptor Dyslexia, this term only
#18 (learn* NEAR/3 (difficult* or disorder* or disabilit* or deficien* or problem*))
#19 (academic skill* NEAR/3 disorder*)
#20 (scholastic skill* NEAR/3 disorder*)
#21 dyslexi*
#22 (reading* NEAR/3 (abilit* or accurac* or comprehension or disorder* or disabilit* or difficult* or deficien* or fluenc* or problem* or speed*))
#23 ((word or text) NEXT blind*)
#24 MeSH descriptor Mathematics, this term only
#25 dyscalcul*
#26 ((math* or arithmetic*) near/3 (abilit* or disorder* or disabilit* or problem* or difficult* or deficien* or fluenc* or skill*))
#27 MeSH descriptor Writing, this term only
#28 MeSH descriptor Agraphia, this term only
#29 agraphia* or dysgraphia*
#30 (spell* near/3 (abilit* or disorder or disabilit* or problem* or difficult* or deficien* or fluenc* or skill*))
#31 (writing NEAR/3 (abilit* or disorder or disabilit* or problem* or difficult* or deficien* or fluenc* or skill*))
#32 written NEXT expression NEXT disorder*
#33 (#16 OR #17 OR #18 OR #19 OR #20 OR #21 OR #22 OR #23 OR #24 OR #25 OR #26 OR #27 OR #28 OR #29 OR #30 OR #31 OR #32)
#34 (#15 AND #33)
ZETOC
All available years. Searched 14 October 2014. Limited to conference proceedings [1 record]
All available years. Searched 19 November 2015. Limited to conference proceedings [No records]
9 0 conference: omega‐6 learning
8 0 conference: omega‐6 dyslexia
7 0 conference: omega‐3 dyslexia
6 1 conference: omega‐3 learning
5 0 conference: omega‐6 dyscalculia
4 0 conference: omega‐3 dyscalculia
3 0 conference: fatty acids dyscalculia
2 1 conference: fatty acids dyslexia
1 6 conference: fatty acids learning
WorldCat
All available years. Searched 14 October 2014. Limited to theses [2 records]
All available years. Searched 19 November 2015. Limited to theses. Limited to 2014‐2015 [No records]
KW: (learn* OR dyslexi* OR dyscalcul* OR reading OR spelling OR writing OR mathematic* OR arithmetic*) AND KW: (omega‐3 OR omega‐6 OR fatty acids OR PUFA* OR fish oil* OR oil* fish OR linseed OR flax OR PUFA* OR icosa* OR docosahex* OR alpha‐linol* )
Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD)
All available years. Searched 5 November 2015 [132 records]
Keywords: (polyunsaturated OR omega) AND children
ClinicalTrials.gov
All available years. Searched 14 October 2014 [9 records]
All available years. Searched 19 November 2015 [12 records]
Keywords: omega‐3 OR omega‐6 AND limited to Age group: Child
World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO ICTRP)
All available years searched 14 October 2014 [35 records]
All available years searched 19 November 2015 [10 records]
Keywords: omega‐3 OR omega‐6 AND limited to Trials with children
Appendix 2. Search strategies up to 2012
CENTRAL, in the Cochrane Library
2012, issue 4. Searched 23 April 2012.
2011, issue 2. Searched 21 July 2011.
#1 MeSH descriptor Fatty Acids, this term only
#2 MeSH descriptor Fatty Acids, Omega‐3 explode tree 1
#3 MeSH descriptor Fatty Acids, Omega‐6, this term only
#4 (omega NEXT 3 or omega NEXT 6)
#5 ((eicosa* or icosa* or docosahex* or alpha‐linol*) NEXT acid*)
#6 poly NEXT unsaturat* NEXT fatty NEXT acid*
#7 polyunsaturat* NEXT fatty NEXT acid*
#8 ( fatty NEXT acid*) NEAR/3 (n NEXT 3 or n NEXT 6)
#9 essential NEXT fatty NEXT acid*
#10 PUFA*
#11 MeSH descriptor Fish Oils, this term only
#12 MeSH descriptor Linseed Oil, this term only
#13 (EFA or EPA or MaxEPA or DHA or ALA)
#14 (oil* NEAR/3 (fish* or flax or linseed))
#15 (#1 OR #2 OR #3 OR #4 OR #5 OR #6 OR #7 OR #8 OR #9 OR #10 OR #11 OR #12 OR #13 OR #14)
#16 MeSH descriptor Learning Disorders, this term only
#17 MeSH descriptor Dyslexia, this term only
#18 (learn* NEAR/3 (difficult* or disorder* or disabilit* or deficien* or problem*))
#19 (academic skill* NEAR/3 disorder*)
#20 (scholastic skill* NEAR/3 disorder*)
#21 dyslexi*
#22 (reading* NEAR/3 (abilit* or accurac* or comprehension or disorder* or disabilit* or difficult* or deficien* or fluenc* or problem* or speed*))
#23 ((word or text) NEXT blind*)
#24 MeSH descriptor Mathematics, this term only
#25 dyscalcul*
#26 ((math* or arithmetic*) NEAR/3 (abilit* or disorder* or disabilit* or problem* or difficult* or deficien* or fluenc* or skill*))
#27 MeSH descriptor Writing, this term only
#28 MeSH descriptor Agraphia, this term only
#29 agraphia* or dysgraphia*
#30 (spell* NEAR/3 (abilit* or disorder or disabilit* or problem* or difficult* or deficien* or fluenc* or skill*))
#31 (writing NEAR/3 (abilit* or disorder or disabilit* or problem* or difficult* or deficien* or fluenc* or skill*))
#32 written NEXT expression NEXT disorder*
#33 (#16 OR #17 OR #18 OR #19 OR #20 OR #21 OR #22 OR #23 OR #24 OR #25 OR #26 OR #27 OR #28 OR #29 OR #30 OR #31 OR #32)
#34 (#15 AND #33)
Ovid MEDLINE
1948 to April Week 2 2012. Searched 23 April 2012.
1948 to July Week 2 2011. Searched 21 July 2011.
1 Fatty Acids/
2 fatty acids, unsaturated/
3 exp fatty acids, omega‐3/
4 exp fatty acids, omega‐6/
5 alpha‐linolenic acid/
6 docosahexaenoic acids/
7 eicosapentaenoic acid/
8 (omega 3 or omega 6).tw.
9 ((eicosa$ or icosa$ or docosahex$ or alpha‐linol$) adj acid$).tw.
10 polyunsaturat$ fatty acid$.tw.
11 poly‐unsaturat$ fatty acid$.tw.
12 (fatty acid$ adj3 (n‐3 or n‐6)).tw.
13 essential fatty acid$.tw.
14 PUFA.tw.
15 Fish Oils/
16 linseed oil/
17 (EFA or EPA or MaxEPA or DHA or ALA).tw.
18 (oil$ adj3 (fish$ or flax or linseed)).tw.
19 or/1‐18
20 Learning Disorders/
21 (learn$ adj3 (difficult$ or disorder$ or disabilit$ or deficien$ or problem$)).tw.
22 (academic skill$ adj3 disorder$).tw.
23 (scholastic skill$ adj3 disorder$).tw.
24 Dyslexia/
25 dyslexi$.tw.
26 (reading$ adj3 (abilit$ or accurac$ or comprehension or disorder$ or disabilit$ or difficult$ or deficien$ or fluenc$ or problem$ or speed$)).tw.
27 ((word or text) adj blind$).tw.
28 Mathematics/
29 dyscalcul$.tw.
30 ((math$ or arithmetic$) adj3 (abilit$ or disorder$ or disabilit$ or problem$ or difficult$ or deficien$ or fluenc$ or skill$)).tw.
31 Writing/
32 Agraphia/
33 (agraphia$ or dysgraphia$).tw.
34 (spell$ adj3 (abilit$ or disorder or disabilit$ or problem$ or difficult$ or deficien$ or fluenc$ or skill$)).tw.
35 (writing adj3 (abilit$ or disorder or disabilit$ or problem$ or difficult$ or deficien$ or fluenc$ or skill$)).tw.
36 written expression disorder$.tw.
37 or/20‐36
38 19 and 37
39 randomized controlled trial.pt.
40 controlled clinical trial.pt.
41 randomi#ed.ab.
42 placebo$.ab.
43 drug therapy.fs.
44 randomly.ab.
45 trial.ab.
46 groups.ab.
47 or/39‐46
48 exp animals/ not humans.sh.
49 47 not 48
50 38 and 49
Embase Ovid
1980 to 2012 Week 16. Searched 23 April 2012.
1980 to 2011 Week 28. Searched 21 July 2011.
1 fatty acid/
2 omega 3 fatty acid/ or omega 6 fatty acid/
3 docosahexaenoic acid/
4 linolenic acid/
5 icosapentaenoic acid/
6 (omega 3 or omega 6).tw.
7 ((eicosa$ or icosa$ or docosahex$ or alpha‐linol$) adj acid$).tw.
8 polyunsaturat$ fatty acid$.tw.
9 poly‐unsaturat$ fatty acid$.tw.
10 (fatty acid$ adj3 n‐3).tw.
11 essential fatty acid$.tw.
12 PUFA.tw.
13 Fish Oils/
14 linseed oil/
15 (EFA or EPA or MaxEPA or DHA or ALA).tw.
16 (oil$ adj3 (fish$ or flax or linseed)).tw.
17 or/1‐16
18 learning disorder/
19 (learn$ adj3 (difficult$ or disorder$ or disabilit$ or deficien$ or problem$)).tw.
20 (academic skill$ adj3 disorder$).tw.
21 (scholastic skill$ adj3 disorder$).tw.
22 dyslexia/
23 dyslexi$.tw.
24 (reading$ adj3 (abilit$ or accurac$ or comprehension or disorder$ or disabilit$ or difficult$ or deficien$ or fluenc$ or problem$ or speed$)).tw.
25 ((word or text) adj blind$).tw.
26 Mathematics/
27 dyscalcul$.tw.
28 ((math$ or arithmetic$) adj3 (abilit$ or disorder$ or disabilit$ or problem$ or difficult$ or deficien$ or fluenc$ or skill$)).tw.
29 Writing/
30 Agraphia/
31 (agraphia$ or dysgraphia$).tw.
32 (spell$ adj3 (abilit$ or disorder or disabilit$ or problem$ or difficult$ or deficien$ or fluenc$ or skill$)).tw.
33 (writing adj3 (abilit$ or disorder or disabilit$ or problem$ or difficult$ or deficien$ or fluenc$ or skill$)).tw.
34 written expression disorder$.tw.
35 or/18‐34
36 exp Clinical trial/
37 Randomized controlled trial/
38 Randomization/
39 Single blind procedure/
40 Double blind procedure/
41 Crossover procedure/
42 Placebo/
43 Randomi#ed.tw.
44 RCT.tw.
45 (random$ adj3 (allocat$ or assign$)).tw.
46 randomly.ab.
47 groups.ab.
48 trial.ab.
49 ((singl$ or doubl$ or trebl$ or tripl$) adj3 (blind$ or mask$)).tw.
50 Placebo$.tw.
51 Prospective study/
52 (crossover or cross‐over).tw.
53 prospective.tw.
54 or/36‐53
55 17 and 35 and 54
PsycINFO Ovid
1806 to April Week 3 2012. Searched 23 April 2012.
1 Fatty Acids/
2 (omega 3 or omega 6).tw.
3 (eicosa$ or icosa$ or docosahex$ or alpha‐linol$).tw.
4 fatty acid$.tw.
5 (PUFA or PUFAs).tw.
6 (EFA or EPA or MaxEPA or DHA or ALA).tw.
7 (fish$ oil$ or flax oil$ or linseed oil$).tw.
8 Learning Disabilities/ or Dyslexia/ or Reading/
9 (learn$ adj3 (difficult$ or disorder$ or disabilit$ or deficien$ or problem$)).tw.
10 (academic skill$ adj3 disorder$).tw.
11 (scholastic skill$ adj3 disorder$).tw.
12 dyslexi$.tw.
13 (reading$ adj3 (abilit$ or accurac$ or comprehension or disorder$ or disabilit$ or difficult$ or deficien$ or fluenc$ or problem$ or speed$)).tw.
14 ((word or text) adj blind$).tw.
15 Mathematics/
16 dyscalcul$.tw.
17 ((math$ or arithmetic$) adj3 (abilit$ or disorder$ or disabilit$ or problem$ or difficult$ or deficien$ or fluenc$ or skill$)).tw.
18 Spelling/ or Handwriting/
19 written expression disorder$.tw.
20 (agraphia$ or dysgraphia$).tw.
21 (spell$ adj3 (abilit$ or disorder or disabilit$ or problem$ or difficult$ or deficien$ or fluenc$ or skill$)).tw.
22 (writing adj3 (abilit$ or disorder or disabilit$ or problem$ or difficult$ or deficien$ or fluenc$ or skill$)).tw.
23 or/1‐7
24 or/8‐22
25 23 and 24
PsycINFO EBSCO
1887 to current. Searched 22 July 2011.
S24 S8 and S23
S23 S9 or S10 or S11 or S12 or S13 or S14 or S15 or S16 or S17 or S18 or S19 or S20 or S21 or S22
S22 agraphia* or dysgraphia*
S21 (writing N3 abilit*) or (writing N3 disorder* ) or (writing N3 disabilit*) or (writing N3 difficult*) or (writing N3 deficien*) or (writing N3 problem*) or (writing N3 fluenc*) or (writing N3 skill*)
S20 (spell* N3 abilit*) or (spell* N3 disorder* ) or (spell* N3 disabilit*) or (spell* N3 difficult*) or (spell* N3 deficien*) or (spell* N3 problem*) or (spell* N3 fluenc*) or (spell* N3 skill*)
S19 written expression disorder*
S18 DE "Handwriting"
S17 DE "Spelling"
S16 (math* N3 abilit*) or (math* N3 disorder* ) or (math* N3 disabilit*) or (math* N3 difficult*) or (math* N3 deficien*) or (math* N3 problem*) or (math* N3 fluenc*) or (math* N3 skill*)
S15 dyscalcul*
S14 DE "Mathematics"
S13 academic skill* or scholastic skill*
S12 (learning* N3 disorder*) or (learning* N3 disabilit*) or (learning* N3 difficult*) or (learning* N3 deficien*) or (learning* N3 problem*)
S11 dyslex* or word* blind* or text* blind*
S10 (reading* N3 abilit*) or (reading* N3 accurac*) or (reading* N3 comprehension) or (reading* N3 disorder*) or (reading* N3 disabilit*) or (reading* N3 difficult*) or (reading* N3 deficien*) or (reading* N3 problem*)
S9 DE "Learning Disabilities" OR DE "Dyslexia" OR DE "Reading Disabilities"
S8 S1 or S2 or S3 or S4 or S5 or S6 or S7
S7 fish* oil* or flax oil* or linseed oil*
S6 (EFA or EPA or MaxEPA or DHA or ALA)
S5 PUFA*
S4 fatty acid* Search modes
S3 eicosa* or icosa* or docosahex* or alpha‐linol*
S2 omega 3 or omega 6
S1 DE "Fatty Acids"
ERIC ProQuest
1966 to current. Searched 22 July 2011 and 24 April 2012.
Searched for:((("omega 3" OR "omega 6" OR fatty acid* OR PUFA OR PUFAs OR eicosa*or icosa* OR docosahex* OR alpha‐linol* OR "alpha limol*" OR EFA OR EPA OR MaxEPA OR DHA OR ALA) OR (oil* NEAR/3 (fish* OR linseed* OR flax*))) AND (SU.EXACT ("Dyslexia") OR SU.EXACT("Writing Difficulties") OR SU.EXACT("Learning Disabilities") OR SU.EXACT("Reading Difficulties") OR (dyslexi* OR dyscalcul* OR agraphia* OR dysgraphia*) OR ("academic skill* disorder*" OR "scholastic skill* disorder*" OR "written expression disorder*") OR (writing NEAR/3 (abilit* OR disorder OR disabilit* OR problem* OR difficult* OR deficien* OR fluenc* OR skill*)) OR (spell* NEAR/3 (abilit* OR disorder OR disabilit* OR problem* OR difficult* OR deficien* OR fluenc* OR skill*)) OR ((math* OR arithmetic*) NEAR/3 (abilit* OR disorder* OR disabilit* OR problem* OR difficult* OR deficien* OR fluenc* OR skill*)) OR (reading* NEAR/3 (abilit* OR accurac* OR comprehension OR disorder* OR disabilit* OR difficult* OR deficien* OR fluenc* OR problem* OR speed*)) OR (learn* NEAR/3 (difficult* OR disorder* OR disabilit* OR deficien* OR problem*))))
Web of Science databases
SCI, SSCI, CPCI‐S, CPCI‐SS&H
SCI and SSCI: 1970 to current. Searched 22 July 2011 and 24 April 2012.
CPCI‐S and CPCI‐SS&H: 1990 to current. Searched 22 July 2011 and 24 April 2012.
19 #18 AND #17
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#18 TS=(random* or control* or trial* or groups* or effectiveness or evaluation or placebo*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#17 #16 AND #7
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#16 #15 OR #14 OR #13 OR #12 OR #11 OR #10 OR #9 OR #8
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#15 TS=(written expression disorder*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#14 TS=(writing* abilit* or writing* accurac* or writing* comprehension or writing* disorder* or writing* disabilit* or writing* difficult* or writing* deficien* or writing* fluenc* or writing* problem* or writing* speed*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#13 TS=(spell* abilit* or spell* accurac* or spell* comprehension or spell* disorder* or spell* disabilit* or spell* difficult* or spell* deficien* or spell* fluenc* or spell* problem* or spell* speed*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#12 TS= (math* abilit* or math* accurac* or math* comprehension or math* disorder* or math* disabilit* or math* difficult* or math* deficien* or math* fluenc* or math* problem* or math* speed*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#11 TS=(reading abilit* or reading accurac* or reading comprehension or reading disorder* or reading disabilit* or reading difficult* or reading deficien* or reading fluenc* or reading problem* or reading speed*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#10 TS = (dyslexi* or dyscalcul* or agraphia* or dysgraphia*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#9 TS= (academic skill* disorder* or scholastic skill* disorder*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#8 Ts=(learn* difficult* or learn* disorder* or learn* disabilit* or learn* deficien* or learn* problem*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#7 #6 OR #5 OR #4 OR #3 OR #2 OR #1
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#6 TS =(EFA or EPA or MaxEPA or DHA or ALA)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#5 TS= (oil* SAME (fish* or flax or linseed))
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#4 TS=(PUFA*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#3 TS= ((eicosa* or icosa* or docosahex* or alpha‐linol*) SAME acid*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#2 TS=(omega 3 or omega 6)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
#1 TS=(fatty acid*)
DocType=All document types; Language=All languages;
CDSR and DARE in the Cochrane Library
CDSR: 2011, Issue 2. Searched 25 July 2011.
CDSR: 2012, Issue 4. Searched 24 April 2012.
DARE: 2011, Issue 2. Searched 25 July 2011.
DARE: 2012, Issue 2. Searched 24 April 2012.
#1 MeSH descriptor Fatty Acids, this term only
#2 MeSH descriptor Fatty Acids, Omega‐3 explode tree 1
#3 MeSH descriptor Fatty Acids, Omega‐6, this term only
#4 (omega NEXT 3 or omega NEXT 6)
#5 ((eicosa* or icosa* or docosahex* or alpha‐linol*) NEXT acid*)
#6 poly NEXT unsaturat* NEXT fatty NEXT acid*
#7 polyunsaturat* NEXT fatty NEXT acid*
#8 ( fatty NEXT acid*) NEAR/3 (n NEXT 3 or n NEXT 6)
#9 essential NEXT fatty NEXT acid*
#10 PUFA*
#11 MeSH descriptor Fish Oils, this term only
#12 MeSH descriptor Linseed Oil, this term only
#13 (EFA or EPA or MaxEPA or DHA or ALA)
#14 (oil* NEAR/3 (fish* or flax or linseed))
#15 (#1 OR #2 OR #3 OR #4 OR #5 OR #6 OR #7 OR #8 OR #9 OR #10 OR #11 OR #12 OR #13 OR #14)
#16 MeSH descriptor Learning Disorders, this term only
#17 MeSH descriptor Dyslexia, this term only
#18 (learn* NEAR/3 (difficult* or disorder* or disabilit* or deficien* or problem*))
#19 (academic skill* NEAR/3 disorder*)
#20 (scholastic skill* NEAR/3 disorder*)
#21 dyslexi*
#22 (reading* NEAR/3 (abilit* or accurac* or comprehension or disorder* or disabilit* or difficult* or deficien* or fluenc* or problem* or speed*))
#23 ((word or text) NEXT blind*)
#24 MeSH descriptor Mathematics, this term only
#25 dyscalcul*
#26 ((math* or arithmetic*) NEAR/3 (abilit* or disorder* or disabilit* or problem* or difficult* or deficien* or fluenc* or skill*))
#27 MeSH descriptor Writing, this term only
#28 MeSH descriptor Agraphia, this term only
#29 agraphia* or dysgraphia*
#30 (spell* NEAR/3 (abilit* or disorder or disabilit* or problem* or difficult* or deficien* or fluenc* or skill*))
#31 (writing NEAR/3 (abilit* or disorder or disabilit* or problem* or difficult* or deficien* or fluenc* or skill*))
#32 written NEXT expression NEXT disorder*
#33 (#16 OR #17 OR #18 OR #19 OR #20 OR #21 OR #22 OR #23 OR #24 OR #25 OR #26 OR #27 OR #28 OR #29 OR #30 OR #31 OR #32)
#34 (#15 AND #33)
ZETOC
All available years. Searched 25 July 2011 and 24 April 2012. Limited to conference proceedings.
9 0 conference: omega‐6 learning
8 0 conference: omega‐6 dyslexia
7 0 conference: omega‐3 dyslexia
6 1 conference: omega‐3 learning
5 0 conference: omega‐6 dyscalculia
4 0 conference: omega‐3 dyscalculia
3 0 conference: fatty acids dyscalculia
2 1 conference: fatty acids dyslexia
1 6 conference: fatty acids learning
WorldCat
All available years. Searched 22 July 2011 and 24 April 2012. Limited to dissertation and theses.
KW: (learn* OR dyslexi* OR dyscalcul* OR reading OR spelling OR writing OR mathematic* OR arithmetic*) AND KW: (omega‐3 OR omega‐6 OR fatty acids OR PUFA* OR fish oil* OR oil* fish OR linseed OR flax OR PUFA* OR icosa* OR docosahex* OR alpha‐linol*)
NDLTD
All available years. Search 8 December 2011.
(polyunsaturate$ fatty acid$ OR (omega 3)) AND (+(learning disabilit$ OR disorder$) OR dyslexia OR dyscalculia) ("docosahexaenoic acid")
ClinicalTrials.gov
All available years. Searched 25 July 2011 and 24 April 2012.
Keywords: omega‐3 OR omega‐6 AND limited to Age group: Child
WHO ICTRP
All available years. Searched 25 July 2011 and 24 April 2012.
Keywords: omega‐3 OR omega‐6 AND limited to Trials with children
Study selection flow chart.
Risk of bias graph: review authors' judgements about each risk of bias item presented as percentages across all included studies.
Forest plot of comparison: 1 PUFAs versus placebo, outcome: 1.1 Adverse effects (gastrointestinal disturbances).
Comparison 1 PUFAs versus placebo, Outcome 1 Adverse effects (gastrointestinal disturbances).
Comparison 1 PUFAs versus placebo, Outcome 2 Behavioural effects (ADHD symptoms score).
| PUFAs vs placebo | ||||||
| Patient or population: children with specific learning disorders | ||||||
| Outcomes | Anticipated absolute effects* (95% CI) | Relative effect | Number of participants | Quality of the evidence | Comments | |
| Risk with placebo | Risk with PUFAs | |||||
| Standardised tests of reading, writing, spelling or mathematics skills (overall) | None of the included studies assessed effects on standardised tests of reading, writing, spelling or mathematics skills | Not estimable | ‐ | ‐ | ‐ | |
| Adverse effect (gastrointestinal disturbance) | Study population | RR 1.43 | 116 | ⊕⊕⊝⊝ | ‐ | |
| 35 per 1000 | 50 per 1000 | |||||
| *The risk in the intervention group (and its 95% CI) is based on the assumed risk in the comparison group and the relative effect of the intervention (and its 95% CI). | ||||||
| GRADE Working Group grades of evidence | ||||||
| aSmall sample size with few events. Extremely wide CIs. | ||||||
| Measures of treatment effect |
| Continuous data Treatment effects are likely to require a variety of standardised tests. If we encounter the use of different tests for the same outcome, and we judge these to be similar enough, we will calculate the standardised mean difference (SMD) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) for each. |
| Unit of analysis Issues |
| Cross‐over studies In the analysis of studies with cross‐over design, we will first consider the possibility of carry‐over effect, whether only first period data are available, if any analysis is incorrect and if results are comparable with those of parallel‐group studies. We will use the methods suggested in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions when analysing and incorporating the trials for meta‐analysis (Higgins 2011b, section 16.4). As a carry‐over effect is likely, given the persistence of PUFAs in tissues (Katan 1997), when data are available for the first period, we will use these in the analyses of learning and behavioural outcomes. However, as adverse effects are readily reversible outcomes, we could use data from both phases. Cluster‐randomised studies We do not anticipate finding any cluster‐randomised trials for this review. However, if we do find them, we will analyse them in the unit to which they were randomised and we will adjust the effective sample size using an intracluster correlation coefficient (ICC), which we will obtain from the studies themselves, if given, or will estimate from similar studies. If we use ICCs from other sources, we will report this and will conduct sensitivity analyses to investigate the effects of variation in the ICC, as suggested in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions (Higgins 2011b, section16.3). Studies with multiple intervention groups For studies with more than 2 intervention groups, we will combine the intervention (if they are similar, e.g. different dose of PUFAs or different combination of PUFAs), and control groups to create a single pair‐wise comparison. If any of the intervention groups is completely different (e.g. visual exercises, music therapy), we will exclude that particular intervention group from the analysis. |
| Dealing with missing data |
| If more studies are included in the future, we will explore by sensitivity analysis the impact of including studies with high levels of missing data in the overall assessment of treatment effect. We will exclude from the analysis studies with missing data that have a high impact on the final results. For all outcomes, we will carry out analyses, as far as possible, on an intention‐to‐treat basis (i.e. we will attempt to include in the analyses all participants randomised to each group). Missing standard deviations (SDs) may be imputed according to the methods provided in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions (Higgins 2011b). |
| Assessment of reporting biases |
| If we identify 10 or more studies, we will use funnel plots to assess the relationships of treatment effect size and standard error. Asymmetry in the funnel plot may be a result of reporting bias, but could also be a true reflection of heterogeneity among intervention effects. We will further examine clinical heterogeneity of the studies as a possible explanation. We will compare results obtained from published studies and results from other sources (e.g. correspondence) to detect publication bias. |
| Subgroup analysis and investigation of heterogeneity |
| We intend to perform subgroup analyses for the primary outcome only. We will investigate the following subgroups.
|
| Sensitivity analysis |
| If we identify enough studies, we will perform a sensitivity analysis to assess how much the quality of the studies affects meta‐analysis results. We will conduct sensitivity analyses to find out if excluding studies with high risk of bias (as assessed by using the Cochrane tool for assessing risk of bias) has an impact on the final results. These will include studies with cross‐over design, inadequate sequence allocation and concealment, missing data or use of any imputed values. |
| ADHD: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. |
| Outcome or subgroup title | No. of studies | No. of participants | Statistical method | Effect size |
| 1 Adverse effects (gastrointestinal disturbances) Show forest plot | 2 | 116 | Risk Ratio (M‐H, Fixed, 95% CI) | 1.43 [0.25, 8.15] |
| 2 Behavioural effects (ADHD symptoms score) Show forest plot | 1 | Mean Difference (IV, Fixed, 95% CI) | Totals not selected | |
