Table 2.

Structured effectiveness quality evaluation scale (SEQES) criteria.

Study question:

1. Was relevant background work cited to establish a foundation for the research questions?

Study design:

2. Was a comparison group used?

3. Was patient status at more than one time point considered?

4. Was data collection performed prospectively?

5. Were patients randomized to groups?

6. Were patients blinded to the extent possible?

7. Were treatment providers randomized to the extent possible?

8. Was an independent evaluator used to administer the outcome measures?

Subjects:

9. Did sampling procedures minimize sample/selection biases?

10. Were inclusion/exclusion criteria defined?

11. Was an appropriate enrollment obtained?

12. Was appropriate retention/follow-up obtained?

Intervention:

13. Was the intervention applied according to established principles?

14. Were biases due to the treatment provider minimized?

15. Was the intervention compared to the appropriate comparator?

Outcomes:

16. Was an appropriate primary outcome defined?

17. Was an appropriate secondary outcomes considered?

18. Was an appropriate follow-up period incorporated?

Analysis:

19. Was an appropriate statistical test(s) performed to indicate differences related to the intervention?

20. Was it established that the study had significant power to identify treatment effects?

21. Was the size and significance of the effects reported?

22. Were missing data accounted for and considered in interpreting results?

23. Were clinical and practical significance considered in interpreting results?

Recommendations:

24. Were the conclusions/clinical recommendations supported by the study objectives, analysis, and results?

Scoring methodology:

0—criterion was not met

1—criterion was partially met

2—criterion was fully met

Total quality score:

Low (0 to 16)

Moderate (17 to 32)

High (33 to 48 points)