Overview
This lecture explains how to create a PRISMA flow diagram using both Word templates and an online Shiny app, highlighting the advantages of each approach for documenting study selection in meta-analyses.
What is a PRISMA Flow Diagram?
- PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) flow diagrams document the process of identifying and selecting studies for systematic reviews.
- The diagram tracks sources searched, records found, duplicates removed, exclusions, and final studies included.
Creating PRISMA Diagrams: Methods
- The PRISMA website offers downloadable Word templates where you manually enter study numbers for each stage.
- Word templates require manual editing, especially if you use multiple databases or need to customize entries.
- The Shiny app for PRISMA diagrams, available via Evidence Synthesis Hackathon, provides a user-friendly, point-and-click interface to build diagrams.
- The app allows customization, such as adding/removing registers, individual databases, or other search sources.
Steps in the Shiny App
- Access the Shiny app from the PRISMA or Evidence Synthesis Hackathon website.
- Remove sections not relevant to your field (e.g., registers, other search sources).
- Add and name individual databases searched and input the number of studies found per database.
- Enter the count of duplicates removed, records excluded, and reasons for exclusions.
- The app updates the diagram in real time as you enter data.
- Diagrams can be downloaded in multiple formats, such as PDF.
Tool Advantages
- The Shiny app is free, versatile, and easier to use than manual Word templates.
- You can include previous studies, registers, or other searches as needed for your review.
Key Terms & Definitions
- PRISMA Flow Diagram — Visual summary of study selection and screening process in systematic reviews.
- Shiny App — An online tool with a graphical interface for generating PRISMA diagrams automatically.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Try creating a PRISMA flow diagram for your project using either the Word template or the Shiny app.
- Cite the Shiny app if you use it to generate your diagram.