Zhang 2011.

Methods	Randomised, placebo‐controlled trial 2 treatment arms: 1 placebo, 1 topiramate Pre‐randomisation baseline period: 8 weeks Treatment period: 12 weeks
Participants	A single‐centre study (Shanghai, China) 86 participants were randomised (documented drug‐resistant focal epilepsy) Age range: > 65 years old eligible Mean age: 73.4 years 57% males 8 patients on 1 AED, 37 on 2 AEDs, 41 on 3 AEDs Median baseline monthly seizure frequency: 17.3 for placebo group, 16.9 for topiramate group
Interventions	200 mg per day topiramate or placebo
Outcomes	Percentage seizure reduction (≥ 50% reduction (classified as responders); 25% to 50% reduction; change within 25% of baseline; ≥ 25% seizure increase) Treatment withdrawal Adverse effects
Notes	None No trial sponsorship information provided
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Low risk	Quote: "were randomly assigned, according to a computer‐generated randomization schedule"
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	Unclear risk	Comment: no information provided
Blinding (performance bias and detection bias) All outcomes	Unclear risk	Comment: no information provided
Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias) All outcomes	Unclear risk	Comment: no information provided
Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) All outcomes	Unclear risk	Comment: no information provided
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes	Low risk	Comment: no dropouts (data available for all patients)
Selective reporting (reporting bias)	Low risk	Comment: protocol unavailable, but appears all expected and prespecified outcomes are reported
Other bias	Low risk	Comment: the study appears to be free of other sources of bias

AED: antiepileptic drug