Objectives:
To introduce ACROBAT-NRS, the new risk of bias tool for non-randomized studies (NRS), to those who may use Cochrane intervention reviews, and to obtain feedback.

Description:
It is sometimes appropriate to include NRS in reviews, but the existing risk of bias tool is applicable only to trials. This workshop will give an overview of the new ACROBAT-NRS tool, an extension to the existing risk of bias tool for application to NRS. The tool structure groups a series of signalling questions under bias domains, influenced by both the existing risk of bias tool for RCTs and the QUADAS-2 tool for diagnostic test accuracy studies. The workshop will be split into two parts:
1. Introduction: providing a brief overview of the development and structure of the new tool, including worked examples (30 min), followed by a time (15 minutes) of quiet for participants to familiarize themselves with the tool.
2. Discussion and feedback: a structured, facilitated discussion focusing on:
- clinical and epidemiological expertise to assess risk of bias in NRS, and how authors and Review Groups might obtain or verify this;
- implications for reviews if the tool is widely adopted in Cochrane;
- implications for the next version of the risk of bias tool for randomized trials;
- developments required for guidance and software;
- phase-in timelines.

Check the programme for two other workshops on aspects of ACROBAT-NRS.