Table 6. Joanna Briggs institute quality appraisal tool for quasi-experimental studies (non-randomized experimental studies).

Yes= +, No= -, Unclear= ?, Not applicable = NA.

Q1. Is it clear in the study what is the ‘cause’ and what is the effect’ (i.e., there is no confusion about which variable comes first)? Q2. Were the participants included in any comparisons similar? Q3. Were the participants included in any comparisons receiving similar treatment/care, other than the exposure or intervention of interest? Q4. Was there a control group? Q5. Were there multiple measurements of the outcome both pre and post the intervention/exposure? Q6. Was follow-up complete and if not, were differences between groups in terms of their follow-up adequately described and analyzed? Q7. Were the outcomes of participants included in any comparisons measured in the same way? Q8. Were outcomes measured in a reliable way? Q9. Was appropriate statistical analysis used?

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Q5	Q6	Q7	Q8	Q9
Zhang et al. [42]	+	-	+	-	+	+	+	+	+
MacMaster et al. [27]	+	+	+	-	+	+	+	+	+
Wall et al. [28]	+	+	+	-	+	+	+	+	+
Croarkin et al. [29]	+	+	+	-	+	+	+	+	+
Wall et al. [30]	+	+	+	-	+	+	+	+	+
Wall et al. [31]	+	+	+	-	+	+	+	+	+
Bloch, 2008 [32]	+	+	+	-	+	+	+	+	+