Huang 2014.

Methods	Randomized controlled trial with 3 parallel groups Single centre Dates study was conducted: not reported
Participants	Adults (n = 60) with sepsis Setting: intensive care unit Study location: China
Interventions	Hydrocortisone 200 mg as continuous infusion for 7 days Chinese herb (Sini decoction) 100 mL per day enterally for 7 days Standard therapy
Outcomes	Primary Hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal function assessed by levels of cortisol and ACTH and cortisol increment post ACTH injection at day 3 and day 14 Secondary 3‐Day shock reversal 28‐Day all‐cause mortality
Notes	We contacted study authors, who did not reply Funding source: not declared
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Low risk	Computer‐generated randomization scheme
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	Unclear risk	No information
Blinding (performance bias and detection bias) All outcomes	High risk	Participants: yes Caregivers: no Data collectors: no Outcome assessors: no Data analysts: no
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes	Low risk	Lost to follow‐up: none
Selective reporting (reporting bias)	Unclear risk	No information
Other bias	Unclear risk	No information