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Physical Therapy: Cochrane Library

A guide for finding literature to support evidence-based practice in physical therapy.

What is Cochrane Library?

The Cochrane Library is a collection of databases containing evidence about the effects of interventions on healthcare. The key databases included in the Cochrane Library are:

  • Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR or "Cochrane Reviews")
    Full-text systematic reviews written by Cochrane Review Groups; 2005-present

  • Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE or "Other Reviews")
    Abstracts of other systematic reviews that have been quality-assessed; 1990s-present

  • Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL or "Clinical Trials")
    1930s-present

The default search setting in Cochrane Library is to search all of these databases (plus a few others) simultaneously. Search results are divided according to which database they came from (see left column of your search results page). This database has an international scope and covers almost all types of healthcare interventions: surgical, pharmaceutical, rehabilitation, psycho-social, alternative and natural treatments, and more.

You can access Cochrane Library from this guide or the Databases page on the LHL Web site. APTA members may access three Cochrane Library databases via ArticleSearch: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR or "Cochrane Reviews"), the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE or "Other Reviews"), and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL or "Clinical Trials").

Cochrane Library Guide

Click the image below to access Lister Hill Library's guide (including tutorials) on Cochrane Library. A new window or tab will open, so you will not lose your place in this Physical Therapy guide. When you are done viewing the Cochrane Library guide and tutorials, close the window or tab to return to this guide.

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