Table1.
Quality indicators of included studies
| Study&origin | Design | sample size | Age group |
Focused research question |
selection/ allocation |
Power calculation/Analysis | Baseline comparability groups | Confounding Factors Considered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chaboyer et al. (2006) Australia | Comparative Prospective block Intervention | 101/85 | Adult | Yes | Random group allocation (188 patient) |
Too small size. Analysis of Mann-Whitney, mean & standard deviation |
Yes | Yes: wash-out period |
|
Chaboyer et al. (2007) Australia |
Before-after, Block intervention |
62/53 | Adult | Yes | Random group allocation (115 patients& 100 families) | No power calculation given, although small sample recognized, Mann-Whitney, test λ2 | Yes | Yes: wash-out period |
|
Caffin et al. (2007) Australia |
Comparative clinical trial |
All patient admitted during July 2004 & June 2005 | Children & youth | Yes | Random group allocation (1197 patients) | Power adequate, test λ2 | Yes | No such as delayed ICU discharge |
|
S. J. Elliott et al. (2008) Australia |
Before-after clinical trial |
All patients admitted during 18 months before & after the intervention | Adults | Not given | Random group allocation (835 patient) | Power calculation not given, Mann-Whitney, mean& standard deviation | Not given | No difference in confidence results |
|
Endacott et al. (2010) Australia |
Comparative clinical trial | 201/187 | Adults | Yes | Random group allocation (388patient) | Power adequate, t-test, test λ2 | Yes | Yes |
| T. A. Williams et al. (2010) Australia | Before-after clinical trial | All patients admitted during 6 months before & after the intervention | Adults | Yes | Random group allocation (1435patient) | Power adequate, test λ2 | Yes | Yes |