As the pace of new research accelerates, keeping systematic reviews up-to-date with the latest evidence has become increasingly vital. Cochrane is at the forefront of this evolution with our leadership in living systematic reviews (LSRs)—a dynamic approach that ensures evidence remains current and relevant.
What's a systematic review?
A systematic review attempts to identify, appraise, and synthesize all the empirical evidence that meets pre-specified eligibility criteria to answer a specific research question. Researchers conducting systematic reviews use explicit, systematic methods that are selected with a view aimed at minimizing bias, to produce more reliable findings to inform decision making.
For those new to the concept, here's a short video from Cochrane Consumers and Communication that explains what a systematic review is, how researchers prepare them, and why they’re a crucial part of making informed health decisions - both for professionals and the public.
What is living evidence?
Living evidence refers to a systematic review that is continually updated to incorporate new and relevant information as it becomes available. Unlike traditional systematic reviews, which may be updated infrequently or not at all, living systematic reviews (LSRs) are underpinned by ongoing, active monitoring of the evidence base.
Key Features of LSRs:
- Continual Monitoring: LSRs involve regular, often monthly, searches for new evidence.
- Immediate Updates: New important evidence, including data, studies, or information, is promptly included.
- Up-to-Date Communication: The status of the review and any new evidence are communicated clearly and regularly.
While LSRs employ the same core review methods as other Cochrane Reviews, they also incorporate predefined and transparent decisions on how frequently new evidence is sought, how it is integrated, and the rationale behind these decisions. Cochrane continues to innovate by providing updated information on the status of our reviews and each updated review is assigned a new citation and DOI, linking it to previous versions and ensuring the most current evidence is available.
Why living systematic reviews?
LSRs represent a significant advancement in evidence synthesis, connecting evidence and practice more seamlessly than traditional methods. They are hugely valuable to healthcare professionals, decision-makers, guideline developers, policy-makers, funders, consumers (patients and carers), and publishers who require up-to-date evidence for informed decision-making.
Technological advancements, such as online platforms, linked data, and machine learning, have made large-scale living evidence approaches feasible. The growth of collaborative research, open data initiatives, and citizen science also supports the maintenance of high-value datasets and LSRs - areas that Cochrane is also leading.
Cochrane’s role and innovations
Since launching the world's first pilot living reviews in 2017, Cochrane has been a trailblazer in this field. Professor Tari Turner, member of the Cochrane Library Editorial Board and Director of the Australian Living Evidence Collaboration based at Cochrane Australia, has been instrumental in developing and applying living evidence approaches. According to Tari:
"Living evidence synthesis is transforming how we navigate uncertainty and make evidence accessible. By continually updating our living reviews, Cochrane is ensuring that decision-makers have the most current information at their fingertips."
Living systematic reviews are a testament to Cochrane's commitment to producing evidence that is not only trustworthy but also continuously relevant. As we move forward, we remain dedicated to leading in this space and advancing the field of evidence synthesis.