Review

Guide to designing, conducting, publishing, and communicating results of clinical studies involving probiotic applications in human participants

Volume 1, Issue 4   July/August 2010
Pages 243 - 253
http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/gmic.1.4.12707
Authors: Andi L. Shane, Michael D. Cabana, Collin L. Ellis, James T. Heimbach, Susanne Hempel, Ruben Hummelen, Susan Lynch, Daniel J. Merenstein, Mary Ellen Sanders, Daniel J. Tancredi and Stephane Vidry

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Abstract:
The heterogeneity of human clinical trials to assess the effectiveness of probiotics presents challenges regarding interpretation and comparison. Evidence obtained from clinical trials among a population with disease or specific risk factors may not be generalizable to healthy individuals. The evaluation of interventions in healthy persons requires careful selection of outcomes due to the absence of health indicators and the low incidence of preventable conditions. Given the tremendous resources invested in such trials, development of consistent approaches to assessing the effectiveness of probiotics would be beneficial. Furthermore, the reporting, presentation, and communication of results may also affect the validity of the scientific evidence obtained from a trial. This review outlines the challenges associated with the design, implementation, data analysis, and interpretation of clinical trials in humans involving probiotics. Best practices related to their design are offered along with recommendations for enhanced collaboration to advance research in this emerging field.

Received: March 31, 2010; Accepted: June 16, 2010

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