Table 3.
Trial Quality Design Features
| Allocation Concealment | Randomization Method | Intention-to-Treat Analysis | Blinding of Participants | Blinding of Providers | Blinding of Outcome Assessor | Description of Subject Compliance | Evaluation of Treatment-Specific Losses to Follow-up | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naziroglu et al(25), 2009 | Not Reported | Not Reported | Not Reported | No | No | No | No | - |
| Teixeira et al(26), 2009 | Not Reported | Not Reported | Not Reported | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | - |
| Huang et al(10), 2005 | Yes | Not Reported | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Polidori et al(27), 2005 | Yes | Not Reported | Not Reported | No | No | No | Yes | - |
| Van Hoydonck et al(28), 2004 | Not Reported | Not Reported | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Vrca et al(29), 2004 | Not Reported | Not Reported | Not Reported | No | No | No | No | - |
| Yanai et al(30), 2004 | Not Reported | Not Reported | No | Yes | No | No | No | - |
| Nieman et al(31), 2002 | Not Reported | Not Reported | Not Reported | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Martinez-Abundis et al(32), 2001 | Not Reported | Not Reported | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | - |
| Hamilton et al(33), 2000 | Not Reported | Not Reported | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Rokitzki et al(34), 1994 | Not Reported | Not Reported | Not Reported | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Maxwell et al(35), 1993 | Not Reported | Not Reported | No | No | No | No | No | - |
| Kyllastinen et al(36), 1990 | Yes | Not Reported | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
Summary of design characteristics reported by trials included in our meta-analysis. Trials that reported no loss to follow up did not receive a “yes” or “no” designation.