Only randomised, double-blind, plac

Only randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
studies were included in this paper. To be considered for
inclusion, studies had to test the efficacy of oral HCA or
any of its salts for weight reduction in obese or overweight
humans. Included studies also had to report body weight
as an outcome. No age, time, or language restrictions were
imposed for inclusion of studies. Studies which involved
the use of HCA as part of a combination treatment (dietary
interventions containing other supplements in addition to
HCA), or not involving obese or overweight subjects based
on body mass index (BMI) values, were excluded from this
paper.
Two independent reviewers assessed the eligibility of
studies to be included in the paper. Data were extracted
systematically by two independent reviewers according to
the patient characteristics, interventions, and results. The
methodological quality of all included studies was assessed
by the use of a quality assessment checklist adapted from
the Consolidated Standard of Reporting Trials (CONSORT)
guidelines [10, 11]. In addition, the Jadad score [12] was also
used to assess the quality of included studies. Disagreements
were resolved through discussion with the other authors.
Data are presented as means with standard deviations.
Mean changes in body weight were used as common
endpoints to assess the differences between HCA and placebo
groups. Using the standard meta-analysis software [13], we
calculated mean differences (MDs) and 95% confidence
intervals (CIs). Studies included in the meta-analysis were
weighted by SD (a proxy for study size). If a trial had 3
arms, only the HCA and placebo arms were included in the