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. 2026 Feb 23;14(4):552. doi: 10.3390/healthcare14040552
Section/Topic Item No Checklist Item Reported on Page Nº
Title and abstract
1a Identification as a randomised trial in the title -
1b Structured summary of trial design, methods, results, and conclusions (for specific guidance see CONSORT for abstracts) 1–2
Introduction
Background and objectives 2a Scientific background and explanation of rationale 2–3
2b Specific objectives or hypotheses 3
Methods
Trial design 3a Description of trial design (such as parallel, factorial) including allocation ratio 3–4
3b Important changes to methods after trial commencement (such as eligibility criteria), with reasons -
Participants 4a Eligibility criteria for participants 4–5
4b Settings and locations where the data were collected 3
Interventions 5 The interventions for each group with sufficient details to allow replication, including how and when they were actually administered 5–6
Outcomes 6a Completely defined pre-specified primary and secondary outcome measures, including how and when they were assessed 6–7
6b Any changes to trial outcomes after the trial commenced, with reasons -
Sample size 7a How sample size was determined 4
7b When applicable, explanation of any interim analyses and stopping guidelines -
Randomisation:
 Sequence generation 8a Method used to generate the random allocation sequence -
8b Type of randomisation; details of any restriction (such as blocking and block size) -
 Allocation concealment mechanism 9 Mechanism used to implement the random allocation sequence (such as sequentially numbered containers), describing any steps taken to conceal the sequence until interventions were assigned -
 Implementation 10 Who generated the random allocation sequence, who enrolled participants, and who assigned participants to interventions -
Blinding 11a If done, who was blinded after assignment to interventions (for example, participants, care providers, those assessing outcomes) and how -
11b If relevant, description of the similarity of interventions -
Statistical methods 12a Statistical methods used to compare groups for primary and secondary outcomes -
12b Methods for additional analyses, such as subgroup analyses and adjusted analyses 7–8
Results
Participant flow (a diagram is strongly recommended) 13a For each group, the numbers of participants who were randomly assigned, received intended treatment, and were analysed for the primary outcome 5
13b For each group, losses and exclusions after randomisation, together with reasons 5
Recruitment 14a Dates defining the periods of recruitment and follow-up 4
14b Why the trial ended or was stopped -
Baseline data 15 A table showing baseline demographic and clinical characteristics for each group 8–9
Numbers analysed 16 For each group, number of participants (denominator) included in each analysis and whether the analysis was by original assigned groups 5
Outcomes and estimation 17a For each primary and secondary outcome, results for each group, and the estimated effect size and its precision (such as 95% confidence interval) 9–11
17b For binary outcomes, presentation of both absolute and relative effect sizes is recommended -
Ancillary analyses 18 Results of any other analyses performed, including subgroup analyses and adjusted analyses, distinguishing pre-specified from exploratory 9–11
Harms 19 All important harms or unintended effects in each group (for specific guidance see CONSORT for harms) 11
Discussion
Limitations 20 Trial limitations, addressing sources of potential bias, imprecision, and, if relevant, multiplicity of analyses 13
Generalisability 21 Generalisability (external validity, applicability) of the trial findings 11–13
Interpretation 22 Interpretation consistent with results, balancing benefits and harms, and considering other relevant evidence 11–13
Other information
Registration 23 Registration number and name of trial registry 3
Protocol 24 Where the full trial protocol can be accessed, if available 3
Funding 25 Sources of funding and other support (such as supply of drugs), role of funders 15