Table 2 Modified quality score for randomized trials†
Quality variables | Atim 2011 | Sivapurapu 2013 | Petersen 2013 | Skjelsager 2013 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Was study described as randomized, ie, used words such as “randomly”, “random”, and “randomization”? [0,1] | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Was randomization described, and appropriate? [-1,0,1] | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Was study described as double-blinded? [0,1] | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Was method of blinding appropriate? [-1,0,1] | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Was a description of withdrawals and dropouts included? [0,1] | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Inclusion criteria | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Exclusion criteria | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Study period given | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Appropriate statistical analysis | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Hard end points | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Sample size calculation | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Baseline characteristics comparable | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Any postoperative data missing? | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Allocation concealment | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Analysis by intention to treat | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Score‡ | 13 | 10 | 14 | 14 |