Identifying randomized controlled trials of cognitive therapy for depression: Comparing the efficiency of Embase, Medline and PsycINFO bibliographic databases

This study sought to compare the sensitivity and precision of Embase, Medli ne and PsycINFO bibliographic database searches for randomized controlled t rials of cognitive therapy for depression. Searches in each database combin ed with a hand search in five selected journals formed the total pool again st which each search was assessed. Sensitivities of standard searches (inde x terms only) were 68%, 84% and 35% in Embase, Medline and PsycINFO respect ively Sensitivities of expert searches (index and free text terms) were 76% , 97% and 65% for Embase, Medline and PsycINFO respectively. Medline appear s to be the most efficient at identifying articles describing psychological treatment evaluation.