Table 2.
Assessment of study quality and risk of bias employing TESTEX.
| Study | Eligibility criteria specified | Randomization specified | Allocation concealment | Groups similar at baseline | Blinding of assessor | Outcome measures assessed in 85% of patients∗ | Intention-to-treat analysis | Between-group statistical comparisons reported† | Point measures and measures of variability | Activity monitoring in control groups | Relative exercise intensity constant | Exercise volume and energy expenditure | Total TESTEX (/15) |
| Belardinelli | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 |
| Conraads | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 11 |
| Patwala | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 11 |
| Smolis-Bąk | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 11 |
| Nobre | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 12 |
| Martens | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 9 |
| Santa-Clara | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 11 |
| Spee | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11 |
| Total | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 8 |
TESTEX = tool for the assEssment of Study qualiTy and reporting in EXercise.
∗
Three points total – 1 point if adherence >85%, 1 point if adverse events reported, and 1 point if exercise attendance reported.
†
Two points total – 1 point if primary outcome reported, and 1 point if all other outcomes reported.