Table 1.

Summary findings from the Modified Delphi checklist for quality assessment applied to all included studies (n=39).

Criterion	Studies, n (%)
	Yes	No
Study Objective
1. Is the hypothesis/aim/objective of the study clearly stated in the abstract, introduction, or methods section?	38 (97.4)	1 (2.6)
Study population
2. Are the characteristics of the participants included in the study described?	100 (100)	0 (0)
3. Were the cases collected in more than 1 Centre?	8 (20.5)	31 (79.5)
4. Are the eligibility criteria (inclusion and exclusion criteria) to entry the study explicit and appropriate?	33 (84.6)	6 (15.4)
5. Were the participants recruited consecutively?	26 (66.7)	13 (33.3)
6. Did participants enter the study at a similar point in the disease?	35 (89.7)	4 (10.3)
Intervention and co-intervention
7. Was the intervention clearly described in the study?	37 (94.9)	2 (5.1)
8. Were additional interventions (co-interventions) clearly reported in the study?	35 (89.7)	4 (10.3)
Outcome measures
9. Are the outcome measures clearly defined in the introduction or methods section?	38 (97.4)	1 (2.6)
10. Were relevant outcomes appropriately measured with objective/or subjective methods?	38 (97.4)	1 (2.6)
11. Were outcomes measured before and after intervention?	35 (89.7)	4 (10.3)
Statistical analysis
12. Were the statistical tests used to assess the relevant outcomes appropriate?	38 (97.4)	1 (2.6)
Results and conclusions
13. Was the length of follow-up reported?	38 (97.4)	1 (2.6)
14. Was the loss of follow-up reported?	23 (59.0)	16 (41.0)
15. Does the study provide estimates of the random variability in the data analysis of relevant outcomes?	15 (38.5)	24 (61.5)
16. Are adverse events reported?	38 (97.4)	1 (2.6)
17. Are the conclusions of the study supported by results?	38 (97.4)	1 (2.6)
Competing interest and source of support
18. Are both competing interest and source of support for the study reported?	23 (59.0)	16 (41.0)
Median Modified Delphi score = 15 out of 18 (83.3%) (range 6-18)