Cattaneo 2007.
| Methods | Randomised controlled trial, participants allocated to groups by matching order of admission to hospital with pre‐study randomised list | |
| Participants | n=50, randomised & analysed groups: M&S=23, M=12, C=15 No statistically significant difference between groups for characteristics or baseline measures. For total group, mean age 46 years +/‐ 10.2, MS onset mean 13.8 years +/‐ 8.1 & n=15 used a walking aid. |
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| Interventions | M&S: Strategies that challenged the motor and sensory system to maintain equilibrium. Biofeedback incorporated. Progressive difficulty. 1 to 1 with experienced therapist. 10‐12 sessions fo 45 minutes over 3 weeks. M: As above with motor strategies only. C: Conventional therapy not directly targeted at balance improvements. Dosage as above. |
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| Outcomes | Number of fallers, balance function, mobility, balance confidence, | |
| Notes | M&S: Motor & Sensory Rehabilitation, M: Motor Rehabilitation, C: Control, BBS: Berg Balance Scale, DGI: Dynamic Gait Index | |
| Risk of bias | ||
| Bias | Authors' judgement | Support for judgement |
| Random sequence generation (selection bias) | Low risk | Following initial assessment, the subjects were randomly assigned to three subgroups using computer‐ generated random numbers. |
| Allocation concealment (selection bias) | Unclear risk | Allocation concealment mechanism not outlined in the paper. |
| Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias) All outcomes | Unclear risk | Not enough information is presented in the study to determine if participants or personnel were blinded. |
| Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) All outcomes | High risk | Whenever possible an independent rater not directly involved in the treatment rated both the initial and the final assessment. The rater was not masked with respect to the subject’s group assignment. |
| Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes | Low risk | Attrition balanced across both groups |
| Selective reporting (reporting bias) | Unclear risk | Results reported are in line with planned analysis, however, published protocol or trial registration is not available |
| Other bias | Unclear risk | No sample size calculated and inferential statistics computed. Study may be at risk of a type II error |