Table 2.

Methodological quality of included studies by using the McMaster critical appraisal form.

Number	Study design	Level	Items															Score
			1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15
1	CCT	III-2	√	√	√	√	√	√	x	√	n/a	√	√	√	√	x	√	12/14
2	CCT	III-2	√	√	√	√	√	x	√	√	n/a	√	√	√	√	x	√	12/14
3	CCT	III-2	√	√	√	√	√	x	√	√	n/a	√	√	√	√	√	√	13/14
4	CCT	III-2	√	√	√	√	√	x	√	√	n/a	√	√	√	√	x	√	12/14
5	CCT	III-2	√	√	√	√	√	x	√	√	n/a	√	√	√	√	x	√	12/14
6	CCT	III-2	√	√	√	√	x	x	√	√	n/a	√	√	√	√	√	√	12/14
7	CCT	III-2	√	√	√	√	√	x	√	√	n/a	√	√	√	√	x	√	12/14
8	CCT	III-2	√	√	√	√	√	x	√	√	n/a	√	√	√	√	x	√	12/14

Level of evidence (based on NHMRC hierarchy); CCT: control clinical trial; FU/RCT: follow-up study from randomized control trial. √: yes; x: no/not reported; n/a: not applicable. McMaster Items: (1) study purpose clearly stated; (2) background literature reviewed; (3) appropriate research design; (4) sample described in detail; (5) sample size justified; (6) outcome measure reliability reported; (7) outcome measure validity reported; (8) intervention described; (9) contamination avoided; (10) cointervention avoided; (11) results reported in terms of statistical significance; (12) appropriate analysis method; (13) clinical significance reported; (14) dropouts reported; (15) appropriate conclusion.