A practical guide to meta-analysis
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Updated: Jul 18, 2026

The Adjuvant Efficacy of Angong Niuhuang Pill in the Treatment of Viral Encephalitis: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Published on: April 19, 2024
Kevin C Chung1, Patricia B Burns, H Myra Kim
1Section of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0340, USA. kecchung@umich.edu
Abstract:
The wealth of medical research published on a yearly basis demands methods to summarize the literature. Narrative or expert reviews were the traditional method to provide this summary; however, biases associated with narrative reviews raise questions regarding whether this process provides sufficient evidence to guide practice. Meta-analysis is becoming increasingly popular because it can combine results from similar studies to calculate an overall estimate of a treatment effect. Although meta-analysis has its limitations, a thoughtful and well-planned analysis is a valuable tool in providing a high level of evidence. We discuss the steps needed to perform a meta-analysis as a guideline for those interested in pursuing this type of research.
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