EasySLR now includes a ClinicalTrials.gov Query Generation tool designed to simplify and standardize the process of creating clinical trial registry search strategies. Using AI and the PICOS framework, the tool helps reviewers quickly generate structured, ready-to-use queries that align closely with their research objectives.

Overview

The ClinicalTrials.gov Query Generator supports systematic reviewers in identifying ongoing, completed, and unpublished clinical trials by automating the creation of registry-specific search queries. This reduces manual effort, improves consistency, and ensures comprehensive coverage of relevant PICOS elements.

Key Capabilities

AI-Powered Query Generation

• Generate structured clinical trial search queries in a few steps

• Queries are built using the PICOS framework:

  • Population

  • Intervention

  • Comparator

  • Outcomes

  • Study Design

• Helps ensure all relevant concepts are captured in the trial registry search

Research Objective Validation

• Add your Research Objective and validate it using the built-in Validate option

• Automatically checks for missing or incomplete PICOS components

• Improves query quality and alignment with protocol definitions

Key Trials for Improved Recall (Optional)

• Add Key Trial IDs to guide the AI and optimize recall

• Ensures important known trials are reflected in the generated search terms

• Especially useful for established research areas or updates to existing reviews

Refining and Customising Search Terms

• Auto-generated PICOS-based terms are fully editable

• Reviewers can:

  • Broaden or narrow terms

  • Add custom keywords or phrases

  • Tailor the query to specific registry requirements

• Final queries should always be reviewed before use to ensure relevance and accuracy

Importing Clinical Trial Records into EasySLR

• Use the Import Trials option to streamline ingestion of trial records

• Redirects to a dedicated import window where users can:

  • Import trials directly into the project without navigating ClinicalTrials.gov

  • Apply Publication Year filters to narrow the imported results

• Imported trials are immediately available for downstream review workflows

AI Usage & Credit Consumption

• 200 AI credits are consumed each time a new clinical trials query is generated

• AI features are designed to assist, not replace, reviewer judgment

• As with all AI-supported workflows:

  • Outputs may be incomplete or contain inaccuracies

  • Clear, well-defined protocols are essential

  • Final decisions remain the responsibility of human reviewers

Best Practices

• Always review and refine generated queries before running or importing trials

• Use clear and specific PICOS definitions to reduce irrelevant results

• Add Key Trials to improve recall and alignment with known evidence

• Maintain consistency between protocol definitions and generated queries