Table 3.

Risk of bias of RCTs using PEDro scale

Variable	Toprak et al24	Daman et al22	Palmer et al38	Reychler et al41	Sahin et al23
Eligibility criteria were specified	+	+	+	+	+
Participants were randomly allocated to groups	+	+	+	+	+
Allocation was concealed	−	−	+	+	−
The groups were similar at baseline regarding the most important prognostic indicators	+	+	+	+	+
There was blinding of all assessors who measured at least 1 key outcome	+	+	−	+	−
There was blinding of all participants	−	−	−	−	−
There was blinding of all therapists who administered the therapy	−	−	−	−	−
Measures of at least 1 key outcome were obtained from more than 85% of the participants initially allocated to groups	−	−	−	+	−
All participants for whom outcome measures were available received the treatment or control condition as allocated	−	−	+	+	−
The results of between-group statistical comparisons are reported for at least 1 key outcome	+	+	+	+	−
The study provides both point measures and measures of variability for at least 1 key outcome	+	+	+	+	+
Total score	5	5	6	8	3

NOTE. PEDro score: high quality=PEDro score 6-10, fair quality=PEDro score 4-5, poor quality=PEDro score=<5.

Abbreviations: −, low risk of bias; +, high risk of bias.