PICOS framework is used for intervention reviews, where the aim is to determine whether a treatment or intervention is effective compared to an alternative or control.
Example question: Does cognitive behavioral therapy reduce depression symptoms in adults compared to medication?
Criteria | Definitions | Inclusion example | Exclusion example |
Population | Group(s) of individuals, organizations, or entities that are the primary focus of the study | e.g. Adults aged 18+ with a clinical diagnosis of depression | e.g. Children or adolescents under 18 |
Intervention | Treatments, procedures, assessments, programs, policy or other change being evaluated in the study | e.g. Cognitive behavioral therapy delivered by a trained practitioner | e.g. Self-guided or app-based CBT with no practitioner involvement |
Comparison | Alternative(s) or reference point against which the intervention is being evaluated | e.g. Antidepressant medication such as SSRIs | e.g. Studies comparing two therapy types with no medication arm |
Outcomes | Specific results or effects that are measured or assessed as a result of the intervention | e.g. Validated depression symptom scores (e.g. PHQ-9) at post-treatment | e.g. Patient satisfaction with the treatment process |
Study design | Research design used in the study | e.g. Randomized controlled trial | e.g. Case reports or practitioner commentary |
Other | Any additional information that affects a study's eligibility for your review or is helpful to consider during screening | e.g. Studies published in English from 2000 onwards | e.g. Studies with fewer than 20 participants per arm |