A recent Cochrane Review – the largest ever investigation into antidepressants used for chronic pain - shows insufficient evidence to determine how effective or harmful they may be. In this blog, principal investigator Professor Tamar Pincus explains the findings, and a clinician (Dr Peter Cole), a patient, and a researcher (Hollie Birkinshaw,) share their reflections.
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iHealthFacts website: fact-check things you read and hear about health
In this blog, Dr Paula Byrne, post-doctoral researcher with the University of Galway, explains the difficulty – and importance of – knowing whether health information is true, and explains how iHealthfacts – a website where the public can fact-check things they read and hear about health – aims to help.
Eczema treatments: evidence to help you choose
A blog for people with eczema and those caring for children with eczema, by Cochrane UK's Sarah Chapman, looking at trustworthy evidence on emollients or moisturisers and topical steroids.
Ear-related balance disorders: evidence and resources
In a blog for people with ear-related balance disorders and those supporting them, Sarah Chapman and Selena Ryan-Vig from Cochrane UK share the latest Cochrane evidence and some useful resources, introduced by Professor Martin Burton.
Antibody tests for COVID-19: what use are they in practice?
A blog for GPs on antibody tests for COVID-19
Treating long-lasting low back pain without surgery: the latest evidence
We answer some questions you may have if you’re affected by pain and discomfort in your lower back which has no identifiable cause (it’s ‘non-specific’) and has lasted longer than 3 months (it’s ‘chronic’). On this page, we look at the potential benefits and harms of various non-invasive, non-surgical treatment options. The answers are based on the latest trustworthy evidence from Cochrane and NHS advice.
Blood pressure targets – how low can you get?
Robert Walton, a Cochrane UK Senior Fellow in General Practice, looks at the latest Cochrane evidence on what blood pressure targets to aim for, balancing the benefits of treatment against risk of side effects.
Breathe Dance for Strength & Balance: offering choice, delivering benefits
In a blog for physiotherapists, other health professionals and anyone interested in arts and health, Hannah Dye from Breathe Arts Health Research explains how their innovative dance programme provides an alternative to exercise classes for older adults prescribed strength and balance physiotherapy at Guy’s Hospital, London. Created with patients, the programme is offering people choice in their healthcare pathway and bringing multiple benefits.
Hearing conditions: evidence, experience and resources
On this page, we share trustworthy evidence and resources about hearing conditions and highlight opportunities to take part in research. Our blogs help to set evidence in context and make it easy to understand, and often include reflections from people living with hearing conditions and from health professionals and researchers.
Ear drops to remove earwax: a quick look
Professor Martin Burton looks at the evidence on ear drops for removing earwax, and some things to think about, including whether you need to remove it at all.
Physical exercise for people with Parkinson’s: do what you enjoy
Doctors Rebecca Gould and Charlotte Squires look at new Cochrane evidence on how physical exercise can help people with Parkinson’s, and Lis Kirkness, who lives with Parkinson’s, writes about her experience of trying both old and new forms of exercise, and the benefits she has felt.
Dementia and hearing conditions: what do we most need to know?
A new project aims to find out what are the top questions that need answering about dementia and hearing conditions, in the first Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) to look at two health areas together. Sarah Chapman looks at what this is about, and hears from some of those involved in the PSP about what it hopes to achieve and why it’s important.