Network Meta-Analysis

Network meta-analysis (NMA), also sometimes termed multiple treatment meta-analysis or mixed treatment comparisons, has emerged as a powerful statistical technique to compare treatments. NMA creates an evidence network to compare multiple treatments simultaneously by analyzing studies, which made different comparisons, in the same analysis. NMA is appropriate for situations in which there are multiple treatment options available, as it provides a comprehensive understanding of treatment effects by considering all available evidence; furthermore, it is possible to explicitly rank treatments in order of effectiveness. This entry further defines NMA by providing an example and graphical representations. It then reviews NMA assumptions and concludes by discussing the conduct and reporting of an NMA.