Evidence

On this page, you can find an overview of Cochrane reviews that are relevant to the field of first aid. This includes not only reviews targeted at laypeople as providers of healthcare interventions, but also reviews that investigate interventions that are feasible in a lay setting.

We selected reviews based on a set of criteria, which you can find here. Only reviews that were published in the past 5 years, or that are declared stable, are included.

The relevant reviews are structured according to the lay-out of a typical first aid manual, which tries to group conditions broadly according to body part (e.g. ear pain is covered in the chapter head), in addition to some specific conditions which do not necessarily fit within a specific region (e.g. bites and stings is a separate chapter).

Have you spotted first aid-relevant Cochrane reviews that are not on this list yet? Contact us, so we can add them.

Resuscitation and defibrillation

TitleYearCochrane Review GroupBlogshotCochrane Corner (CC) / Visual abstract (VA)
Community first responders for out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest in adults and children2019Cochrane Emergency and Critical Care Group  
Sustained versus standard inflations during neonatal resuscitation to prevent mortality and improve respiratory outcomes2020Cochrane Neonatal Group  
Active chest compression‐decompression for cardiopulmonary resuscitation2013 (declared stable)Cochrane Heart Group  


Skin wounds

TitleYearCochrane Review GroupBlogshot
Water for wound cleansing2022Cochrane Wounds Group 


Head and neck

TitleYearCochrane Review GroupBlogshotCochrane Corner (CC) / Visual abstract (VA)
Paracetamol (acetaminophen) with or without an antiemetic for acute migraine headaches in adults2013 (declared stable)Cochrane Pain, Palliative and Supportive Care Group  
Diclofenac with or without an antiemetic for acute migraine headaches in adults2013 (declared stable)Cochrane Pain, Palliative and Supportive Care Group  
Aspirin with or without an antiemetic for acute migraine headaches in adults2013 (declared stable)Cochrane Pain, Palliative and Supportive Care Group  
Ibuprofen with or without an antiemetic for acute migraine headaches in adults2013 (declared stable)Cochrane Pain, Palliative and Supportive Care Group  
Pharmacological interventions for acute attacks of vestibular migraine2023Cochrane Ear, Nose and Throat Group  
Non-pharmacological interventions for prophylaxis of vestibular migraine2023Cochrane Ear, Nose and Throat Group  
Ibuprofen for acute treatment of episodic tension‐type headache in adults2015 (declared stable)Cochrane Pain, Palliative and Supportive Care Group  
Aspirin for acute treatment of episodic tension‐type headache in adults2017 (declared stable)Cochrane Pain, Palliative and Supportive Care Group  
Paracetamol (acetaminophen) for acute treatment of episodic tension‐type headache in adults2016 (declared stable)Cochrane Pain, Palliative and Supportive Care GroupBlogshot:
English blogshot Dutch blogshot French blogshot Malay blogshot Spanish
 
Interventions for managing halitosis2019Cochrane Oral Health GroupBlogshot:
English blogshot Dutch blogshot French blogshot Kiswahili blogshot Malay blogshot Portuguese blogshot Simplified Chinese blogshot Traditional Chinese blogshot
 
Prehospital stroke scales as screening tools for early identification of stroke and transient ischemic attack2019Cochrane Stroke Group CC / VA
Paracetamol (acetaminophen) or non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, alone or combined, for pain relief in acute otitis media in children2023Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections Group  
Blue‐light filtering spectacle lenses for visual performance, sleep, and macular health in adults2023Cochrane Eyes and Vision Group  
Massage for neck pain2024Cochrane Back and Neck Group  
Lubricating drops for contact lens discomfort in adults2024Cochrane Eyes and Vision Group  


Chest

TitleYearCochrane Review GroupBlogshot
Breathing exercises for adults with asthma2020Cochrane Airways Group 


Stomach and back

TitleYearCochrane Review GroupBlogshot
Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs for heavy menstrual bleeding2019Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility Group 
Interventions to prevent or treat heavy menstrual bleeding or pain associated with intrauterine-device use2022Cochrane Fertility Regulation Group 
Interventions for heavy menstrual bleeding; overview of Cochrane reviews and network meta-analysis2022Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility Group 
Probiotics for treating acute infectious diarrhoea2020Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group 
Hand washing promotion for preventing diarrhoea2021Cochrane Infectious Diseases GroupBlogshot:
English blogshot Spanish French blogshot Farsi Malay blogshot Traditional Chinese blogshot Dutch blogshot Portuguese blogshot Bosnian blogshot continuous chest compressions Serbian blogshot Oral NSAIDs for acute soft tissue injury
Oral versus intravenous rehydration for treating dehydration due to gastroenteritis in children2006 (declared stable)Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group 
Interventions to improve disposal of child faeces for preventing diarrhoea and soil‐transmitted helminth infection2019Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group 
Interventions to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene for preventing soil-transmitted helminth infection2022Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group 
Interventions to improve sanitation for preventing diarrhoea2023Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group 
Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs for acute low back pain2020Cochrane Back and Neck Group 
Pharmacological treatments for low back pain in adults: an overview of Cochrane Reviews2023Cochrane Back and Neck Group, Cochrane Musculoskeletal Group 
D-mannose for preventing and treating urinary tract infection2022Cochrane Kidney and Transplant Group 
Cranberries for preventing urinary tract infections2023Cochrane Kidney and Transplant Group 


Limbs

TitleYearCochrane Review GroupBlogshot
Interventions for preventing falls in people after stroke2019Cochrane Stroke Group 
Salicylate‐containing rubefacients for acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain in adults2014 (declared stable)Cochrane Pain, Palliative and Supportive Care Group 
Topical NSAIDs for acute musculoskeletal pain in adults2015 (declared stable)Cochrane Pain, Palliative and Supportive Care Group 
Magnesium for skeletal muscle cramps2020Cochrane Neuromuscular Group 
Non‐drug therapies for the prevention of lower limb muscle cramps2021Cochrane Neuromuscular Group 
Environmental interventions for preventing falls in older people living in the community2023Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group 
Interventions for preventing falls in people with multiple sclerosis2019Cochrane Multiple Sclerosis and Rare Diseases of the CNS Group 
Oral non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs versus other oral analgesic agents for acute soft tissue injury2020Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma GroupBlogshot:
English blogshot Blogshot Dutch French blogshot Croatian blogshot continuous chest compressions Portuguese blogshot Oral NSAIDs for acute soft tissue injury Serbian blogshot Oral NSAIDs for acute soft tissue injury Kiswahili blogshot Spanish
Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for trigger finger2021Cochrane Musculoskeletal Group 
Running shoes for preventing lower limb running injuries in adults2022Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group

Neutral/cushioned shoes:
English blogshot Farsi Spanish Simplified Chinese blogshot Traditional Chinese blogshot Dutch blogshot Malay blogshot French blogshot

Soft & motion control shoes:
English blogshot Farsi Spanish Simplified Chinese blogshot Traditional Chinese blogshot Dutch blogshot Malay blogshot French blogshot


Bites and stings

TitleYearCochrane Review GroupBlogshotCochrane Corner (CC) / Visual abstract (VA)
Indoor residual spraying for preventing malaria in communities using insecticide‐treated nets2022Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group  
Electronic mosquito repellents for preventing mosquito bites and malaria infection2007 (declared stable)Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group  
Interventions for the symptoms and signs resulting from jellyfish stings2023Cochrane Pain, Palliative and Supportive Care Group CC / VA
Topical repellents for malaria prevention2023Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group  


Specific injuries and conditions

TitleYearCochrane Review GroupBlogshotVisual abstract (VA) / Policy Brief (PB)
Compression stockings for preventing deep vein thrombosis in airline passengers2021Cochrane Vascular GroupBlogshot:
English blogshot Blogshot Dutch Kiswahili blogshot Malay blogshot Portuguese blogshot Traditional Chinese blogshot Simplified Chinese blogshot Croatian blogshot continuous chest compressions Serbian Bosnian blogshot continuous chest compressions Spanish French blogshot
 
Calcium supplementation for prevention of primary hypertension2022Cochrane Hypertension Group  
First aid glucose administration routes for symptomatic hypoglycaemia2019Cochrane Metabolic and Endocrine Disorders GroupBlogshot:
English blogshot Blogshot Dutch French blogshot Kiswahili blogshot Malay blogshot Portuguese blogshot
 
Day care as a strategy for drowning prevention in children under 6 years of age in low- and middle-income countries2021Cochrane Public Health GroupBlogshot:
English blogshot Croatian blogshot continuous chest compressions Blogshot Dutch French blogshot Kiswahili blogshot Malay blogshot Portuguese blogshot Serbian Traditional Chinese blogshot Simplified Chinese blogshot Spanish Farsi
VA / PB
Electric fans for reducing adverse health impacts in heatwaves2012 (declared stable)Cochrane Gynaecological, Neuro‐oncology and Orphan Cancer Group  
Antihistamines for motion sickness2022Cochrane Ear, Nose and Throat Group  
Interventions for preventing high altitude illness: Part 3. Miscellaneous and non‐pharmacological interventions2019Cochrane Emergency and Critical Care Group  
Pool fencing for preventing drowning of children1998 (declared stable)Cochrane Injuries Group  


Infectious diseases

TitleYearCochrane Review GroupBlogshot
Oral antihistamine-decongestant-analgesic combinations for the common cold2022Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections Group 
House modifications for preventing malaria2022Cochrane Infectious Diseases GroupBlogshot:
English blogshot Bosnian blogshot continuous chest compressions Croatian blogshot continuous chest compressions French blogshot Farsi Portuguese blogshot Serbian Simplified Chinese blogshot Traditional Chinese blogshot Malay blogshot Blogshot Dutch
Homeopathic medicinal products for preventing and treating acute respiratory tract infections in children2022Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections Group 
Physical interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory viruses2020Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections GroupHand hygiene:
English blogshot Croatian blogshot continuous chest compressions Blogshot Dutch French blogshot Kiswahili blogshot Malay blogshot Portuguese blogshot Serbian Simplified Chinese blogshot Traditional Chinese blogshot
Rinse‐free hand wash for reducing absenteeism among preschool and school children2020Cochrane Developmental, Psychosocial and Learning Problems Group 
Quarantine alone or in combination with other public health measures to control COVID‐19: a rapid review2020Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group 
Hand cleaning with ash for reducing the spread of viral and bacterial infections: a rapid review2020Cochrane Infectious Diseases GroupBlogshot:
English blogshot Bosnian blogshot continuous chest compressions Croatian blogshot continuous chest compressions Blogshot Dutch French blogshot Kiswahili blogshot Malay blogshot Portuguese blogshot Serbian Simplified Chinese blogshot Traditional Chinese blogshot Spanish
Personal protective equipment for preventing highly infectious diseases due to exposure to contaminated body fluids in healthcare staff2020Cochrane Work Group 
Condom effectiveness in reducing heterosexual HIV transmission2002 (declared stable)Cochrane HIV/AIDS Group 


Pregnancy and delivery

TitleYearCochrane Review GroupBlogshot
Oral non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (single dose) for perineal pain in the early postpartum period2021Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group 
Paracetamol/acetaminophen (single administration) for perineal pain in the early postpartum period2021Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group 
Bed sharing versus no bed sharing for healthy term neonates2021Cochrane Neonatal Group 
Hand hygiene for the prevention of infections in neonates2023Cochrane Neonatal Group 
Relief of pain due to uterine cramping/involution after birth2020Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth GroupBlogshot:
English blogshot Bosnian blogshot continuous chest compressions Dutch blogshot Kiswahili blogshot Serbian Simplified Chinese blogshot Malay blogshot Traditional Chinese blogshot Spanish
Local cooling for relieving pain from perineal trauma sustained during childbirth2020Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group 
Interventions for leg cramps in pregnancy2020Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group 
Effect of timing of umbilical cord clamping and other strategies to influence placental transfusion at preterm birth on maternal and infant outcomes2019Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group 
Aspirin (single dose) for perineal pain in the early postpartum period2020Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group 


General pain

TitleYearCochrane Review GroupBlogshot
Topical analgesics for acute and chronic pain in adults ‐ an overview of Cochrane Reviews2017 (declared stable)Cochrane Pain, Palliative and Supportive Care Group 
Caffeine as an analgesic adjuvant for acute pain in adults2014 (declared stable)Cochrane Pain, Palliative and Supportive Care Group 
Non‐prescription (OTC) oral analgesics for acute pain ‐ an overview of Cochrane reviews2015 (declared stable)Cochrane Pain, Palliative and Supportive Care Group 

Overall health

TitleYearCochrane Review GroupBlogshot
Vitamin A supplementation for preventing morbidity and mortality in children from six months to five years of age2022Cochrane Developmental, Psychosocial and Learning Poblems Group 

Mental health

TitleYearCochrane Review GroupBlogshot
Video calls for reducing social isolation and loneliness in older people: a rapid review2020Cochrane Public Health Group 
Peer support interventions for parents and carers of children with complex needs2021Cochrane Consumers and Communication Group 
Mental Health First Aid as a tool for improving mental health and well‐being2023Cochrane Common Mental Disorders Group