Japanese Knotweed: Evidence Quality (Rubric).xlsx

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2	Japanese Knotweed: Evidence Quality Rubric. Scoring out of 100 points.
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4	1. Mechanistic Support (10 points available)	Question	Criteria	Answer	Points	Input Score	Instructions
5		1.1	Are there mechanistic, in vivo animal studies suggesting that this intervention may target mechanisms favorable to hair growth?	Yes	1	1	Proceed to 1.1.1
6		1.1		No	0	1	Proceed to 1.2
7		1.1.1	Were these studies published in reputable journals; PubMed indexed with an impact factor >1?	Yes	1	1	Proceed to 1.1.2
8		1.1.1		No	0	1	Proceed to 1.1.2
9		1.1.2	Have these studies been replicated?	Yes	1	0	Proceed to 1.1.3
10		1.1.2	Have these studies been replicated?	No	0	0	Proceed to 1.2
11		1.1.3	If yes, how many replication studies?	1	0	0	Proceed to 1.2
12				2 to 3	1
13				4+	2
14		1.2	Are there mechanistic, in vitro/ex-vivo studies on human samples suggesting that this intervention may target mechanisms favorable to hair growth in humans?	Yes	1	1	Proceed to 1.2.1
15		1.2		No	0	1	Proceed to 2.1
16		1.2.1	Were these studies published in reputable journals; PubMed-indexed, impact factor >1?	Yes	1	1	Proceed to 1.22
17		1.2.1		No	0	1	Proceed to 1.22
18		1.2.2	Have these studies been replicated?	Yes	1	1	Proceed to 1.2.3
19		1.2.2	Have these studies been replicated?	No	0	1	Proceed to 1.2.3
20		1.2.3	If yes, how many replication studies?	1	0	0	Proceed to 2.1
21				2 to 3	1
22				4+	2
23					Score	5
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25	2. Human Studies (90 points available)	2.1	Is there any clinical evidence at all - observational or otherwise - that this intervention may improve hair loss in humans?	Yes	5	0	Proceed to 2.1.1
26		2.1		No	0	0	Proceed to 2.4
27		2.1.1	If yes, does that data include objective hair count measurements - like from a phototrichogram?	Yes	5	0	Proceed to 2.2
28		2.1.1		No	0	0	Proceed to 2.2
29		2.2	Are there any interventional studies on the intervention?	Yes	15	0	Proceed to 2.2.1
30		2.2	Are there any interventional studies on the intervention?	No	0	0	Proceed to 2.4
31		2.2.1	If yes, does that data include objective hair count measurements -- like from a phototrichogram?	Yes	5	0	Proceed to 2.2.2
32		2.2.1		No	0	0	Proceed to 2.2.2
33		2.2.2	If yes, how many total studies? (including white papers)	1 to 2	0	0	Proceed to 2.3
34				3 to 4	2
35				>5	5
36		2.3	Are there randomized, blinded, placebo controlled trials published in academic journals?	Yes	15	0	Proceed to 2.3.1
37		2.3		No	0	0	Proceed to 2.4
38		2.3.1	Were these studies published in reputable journals; PubMed-indexed, impact factor >1?	Yes	5	0	Proceed to 2.3.2
39		2.3.1		No	0	0	Proceed to 2.3.2
40		2.3.2	How many total RCT studies have been conducted?	1 to 2	0	0	Proceed to 2.3.3
41				3 to 4	2
42				>5	5
43		2.3.3	Do those studies feature participants who have hair loss types that match the consumers buying those interventions?	Yes	0	0	Proceed to 2.4
44		2.3.3		No	-15	0	Proceed to 2.4
45		2.4	How many participants have been included in all studies included in questions 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3?	< 200	0	0	Proceed to 2.5
46				201 to 500	2
47				501 to 1000	5
48				>1001	10
49		2.5	Do the studies included in questions 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 pose any conflicts of interest from the authors, such as the manufacturer funding and/or conducting a study of their own product.	Yes	-1 per study	0	Proceed to 2.6
50		2.5		No	0	0	Proceed to 2.6
51		2.6	Is the intervention FDA (or national equivalent) approved for use as a hair loss treatment?	Yes	20	0	Finish
52		2.6		No	0	0	Finish
53					Score	0
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55					Total Score / 100	5
56					Total Score / 100	5
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