Choice of primary outcomes evaluating treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding.

Background: Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is a common problem with a variety of treatment options and many studies have been performed evaluating treatment effects. Consistency in the choice and definition of primary and secondary outcomes is important for the interpretation of data and for the synthesis of data in systematic reviews or individual patient data meta-analysis (IPDMA).

Objective: To give insight into the primary endpoints and outcome measures chosen in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews regarding the treatment of HMB.

Bipolar versus balloon endometrial ablation in the office: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of bipolar radiofrequency (Novasure®) ablation and balloon endometrial ablation (Thermablate®).

Study Design: We performed a multi-center double blind, randomized controlled trial in three hospitals in The Netherlands. Women with heavy menstrual bleeding were randomly allocated to bipolar or balloon endometrial ablation, performed in the office, using a paracervical block.

Transcranial direct current stimulation to the parietal cortex in hemispatial neglect: A feasibility study.

Objectives: Prior research suggests that dampening neural activity of the intact, presumably overactive hemisphere, combined with increasing neural activity in the damaged hemisphere, might restore cortical interhemispheric balance and reduce neglect. In the present study we repeatedly applied a relatively new technique, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), to the posterior parietal cortex to modulate spontaneous neural activity levels in a polarity dependent fashion to find evidence for improvements in severe hemispatial neglect in chronic patients.

Methods: Eighty-nine patients were initially identified from our databases as having neglect, after thoroughly screening databases, consulting medical practitioners and baseline testing, only five met our inclusion criteria and agreed to participate.

Endometrial resection and ablation techniques for heavy menstrual bleeding.

Background: Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is a significant health problem in premenopausal women; it can reduce their quality of life and cause anaemia. First-line therapy has traditionally been medical therapy but this is frequently ineffective. On the other hand, hysterectomy is obviously 100% effective in stopping bleeding but is more costly and can cause severe complications.

Ten-year follow-up of a randomised controlled trial comparing bipolar endometrial ablation with balloon ablation for heavy menstrual bleeding.

Objective: Previously, we have reported that, at both 12months and 5 years after treatment, bipolar endometrial ablation is superior to balloon ablation in the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding. In this article, we evaluate the results at 10 years after these interventions.

Design: Ten-year follow-up of a double-blind randomised controlled trial.