Table 1. Description of the CERQual approach used to assess confidence in each main review finding (adapted from [22]).

CERQual Components	Explanation	Rating options
Adequacy of data	Determination of the degree of richness and quantity of data supporting a review finding. Includes extent that data are supported by detailed narratives and participant quotes, and the number and diversity of studies represented.	No concerns Minor concerns Moderate concerns Substantial concerns
Relevance	The extent to which the body of evidence from the studies supporting the review finding is applicable to the review question context (population, phenomenon of interest, setting).	No concerns Minor concerns Moderate concerns Substantial concerns
Coherence	The extent to which the review finding is well grounded in data from the contributing studies and provides a convincing explanation for the patterns found in these data. Judgement based on consistency of data across studies, and ability to explain any contrasting or disconfirming data.	No concerns Minor concerns Moderate concerns Substantial concerns
Methodological limitations	The extent to which there are problems in the design or conduct of the contributing studies. Judgement based on each study’s relative contribution to the finding, the types of methodological limitations identified in the quality assessment tool, and how those limitations could impact on the specific finding.	No concerns Minor concerns Moderate concerns Substantial concerns
Overall assessment	Determination of overall confidence in review finding based on iterative review of each CERQual component.	High confidence Moderate confidence Low confidence