Bifulco 2008.

Methods
Participants	Ventilated for at least 24 hours Eligible for discontinuation of mechanical ventilation using usual criteria for weaning readiness Successful preinclusion test with PS > 15 cm H2O
Interventions	SmartCare™ versus conventional weaning protocol (used in ICU)
Outcomes	Weaning time (time from randomization to extubation) Total duration of mechanical ventilation (from initiation to extubation)
Notes
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Low risk	Computer‐based central randomization (statistics department)
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	Low risk	Study arm communicated by telephone
Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) All outcomes	Unclear risk	Individuals assessing outcomes were not separate from individuals supervising or administering the study interventions
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes	Unclear risk	Two withdrawals from the SmartCare™ arm were reported, and one withdrawal from the control arm, representing 3 of 30 (10%) participants
Selective reporting (reporting bias)	Unclear risk	Minimal outcomes collected because of early stopping and limited availability of personnel. Study authors confirmed that they intended to collect data on VAP rate, duration of mechanical ventilation and mortality
Did the trial stop early for benefit?	Low risk	Stopped early because of limited funding and personnel
Participants analysed according to the group allocated to?	Low risk	All participants with data were included in the analysis on the basis of treatment assignment. A modified intention‐to‐treat analysis was conducted because of study withdrawals