AI in a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Title:  Physical distancing, face masks, and eye protection to prevent person-to-person transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Date Published: June 2020

‍The Lancet: Meta-Analysis

Citation: Chu DK, Akl EA, Duda S, Solo K, Yaacoub S, Schünemann HJ; COVID-19 Systematic Urgent Review Group Effort (SURGE) study authors. Physical distancing, face masks, and eye protection to prevent person-to-person transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet. 2020 Jun 27;395(10242):1973-1987. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31142-9. Epub 2020 Jun 1. PMID: 32497510; PMCID: PMC7263814.

‍What is this report about?

This publication investigated the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 specifically related to the effectiveness of physical distancing, use of face masks, and eye protection in both healthcare and community settings. 

‍How did Evidence Prime help?

The results of the title and abstract screening stage were cross-checked by an AI model provided by Evidence to ensure high-quality screening, for example, by avoiding the exclusion of potentially relevant records. Later, they were able to save time with GRADEpro's ready-to-use, standardised Summary of Findings tables. This allowed for a transparent and comprehensive presentation of evidence as well as the automatic calculation of overall certainty based on the researchers' assessment of the GRADE criteria.

‍What were the results?

The systematic review reveals that using face masks, eye protection, and physical distancing helps prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 but comes with challenges like discomfort, being resource intensive, and blocking clear communication.