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 |
†Score maximum = 15. Poor = -1 to 5, Fair = 6 to 10, Good = 11 to 15.
‡-1 = inappropriate or inaccurate, 0 = not given/inadequate information, 1 = described and accurate.