Overview Meditation Methods

In this chapter we document a prospectively designed protocol that the University of Alberta voidance-based Practice Center (UAEPC) used to develop this comprehensive evidence report n the state of research of meditation practices in healthcare.  To accomplish the tasks as directed, a core research team at the UAEPC was assembled to view and refine the methodology of the task order. All the reviewers at the UAEPC are trained and experienced in systematic review methodology and critical analysis of the scientific treasure.

In consultation with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Task Order Officer (TOO) and National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine NCCAM) representatives, a Technical Expert Panel (TEP) was invited to provide high-level on tent and methodological expertise in the development of the report. The list of technical experts and their curriculum vitae were submitted to the AHRQ TOO for approval (Appendix A).

Throughout the development of the report, the UAEPC project staff worked closely with TEP members and AHRQ and NCCAM representatives to refine the research questions. Guidance was provided through a series of teleconferences and, when needed, through individual telephone alls and e-mail.

To provide a framework for the report, we first present the key questions of the review and our analytic approach to address them. We then describe the literature review methods, including description of how we developed a set of parameters to describe meditation practices. We outline our inclusion and exclusion criteria, the search strategy for identifying articles relevant to he key questions, and the process for abstracting and synthesizing information from eligible tidies.

We also describe the methods for assessing the methodological quality of individual tidies and the criteria for evaluating the strength of the evidence as a whole. The methods for at analysis and synthesis and the peer review process are described at the end of the chapter.