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Table 4 Evidence profile for Bach flower remedies

From: Bach Flower Remedies for psychological problems and pain: a systematic review

Number of studies (patients)

Design

Risk of bias

Consistency of results

Directness

Size of effect

Other modifying factors

Strength of the collective evidence

Outcome: Reduction in examination anxiety compared with control

3 (272)

RCT

High

Yes

Yes

Similar treatment effects and efficacy between BFR and control groups in STAI and TAI-G.

None

Low

Outcome: Reduction in item 15 "anxiety" on VAS compared with control in psychiatric patients suffering anxiety as the main symptom

1 (98)

RCT

Cannot assess

N/A

Yes

No significant difference between treatment (27.40 ± 30.45) and placebo (21.73 ± 27.28)

None

Very low

Outcome: Improvement in Connor's score compared with control (ADHD)

1 (40)

RCT

High

N/A

Yes

4.69 points reduction in Connor's score, no significant difference between treatment and placebo

None

Very low

Outcome: Attenuation of stress

No evidence

Outcome: Depression

No evidence

Outcome: Pain relief

No evidence

Outcome: Quality of life

No evidence

Outcome: Adverse events

6 (468)

RCT, case series

High

Yes

Yes

3 experimental group subjects had side effects

None

Very low

  1. STAI: State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, TAI-G: German version of the Test Anxiety Inventory, VAS: Visual Analogue Scale, ADHD: Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, RCT: Randomized Controlled Trial; N/A: not applicable
  2. Strength of the evidence (GRADE approach): High: further research is very unlikely to change our confidence in the estimate of effect; Moderate: further research is likely to have an important impact on our confidence in the estimate of effect and may change the estimate; Low: further research is very likely to have an important impact on our confidence in the estimate of effect and is likely to change the estimate; Very Low: any estimate of effect is very uncertain.