OBJECTIVE To assess the quantity and distribution of evidence from randomised controlled trials for the treatment of the major neglected tropical diseases and to identify gaps in the evidence with network analysis. DESIGN Systematic review and network analysis. DATA SOURCES Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and PubMed from inception to 31 August 2011. STUDY SELECTION Randomis...

The value of the randomised controlled trial still generates debate. Although some of the earliest examples of these trials can be found in behavioural and psychosocial research, this is not an area that has adopted readily the randomised controlled trial to assess interventions. Two recent developments have intensified debate about the role of randomised controlled trials—the urgent need to fi...