NIH-funded research R21 grant

Improving methods for analyzing treatment effectiveness in ongoing systematic reviews

Official title: Advanced Methods and Software for Trial Sequential Analysis in Living Systematic Reviews

Funded at University of Arizona · NIH-11077295 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is working on ways to keep treatment information up-to-date and reliable, especially for COVID-19, so that doctors can make better choices about therapies, which means patients can get the most effective treatments and avoid those that might not help or could be harmful.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Arizona
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Tucson, United States)
Project startApril 19, 2024
Project endMarch 31, 2026
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$149,467
NIH project number5R21LM014533-02
Project IDNIH-11077295 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are patients involved in ongoing clinical trials or those affected by conditions being evaluated in living systematic reviews.

Less likely to help

Patients who are not participating in clinical trials or whose conditions are not covered by the systematic reviews may not receive direct benefits from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing the methods used in living systematic reviews (LSRs) to provide timely and reliable evaluations of treatment benefits and risks, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to address the limitations of traditional systematic reviews by continuously updating evidence and utilizing trial sequential analysis (TSA) to ensure that treatment decisions are based on the most current data. By improving the accuracy of these analyses, the research seeks to help healthcare providers make informed decisions about therapies and interventions. Patients may benefit from more effective treatments and reduced exposure to ineffective or harmful options.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate and timely treatment recommendations, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that improving systematic review methodologies can enhance treatment decision-making, indicating a promising potential for this approach.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Arizona
    Tucson, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Lin, Lifeng — University of Arizona
  • Study coordinator: Lin, Lifeng

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.