Comparison 3.

Bispectral index versus clinical signs (requirement for anaesthetics)

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Normalized propofol infusion rate (mg/kg/hr)	10	672	Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐1.32 [‐1.91, ‐0.73]
2 Volatile anaesthetic requirement, minimal alveolar concentration equivalents (MAC equivalents)	14	985	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.65 [‐1.01, ‐0.28]
2.1 desflurane	5	352	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐1.02 [‐2.03, ‐0.01]
2.2 isoflurane	1	60	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.37 [‐0.88, 0.14]
2.3 sevoflurane	9	573	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.52 [‐0.87, ‐0.18]