Table 5.
Quasi-Experimental Studies Appraisal.
| Citation | Q1. Is it clear in the study what is the “cause” and what is the “effect” (ie, 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? | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barrera et al 39 | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 89 |
| Diorio et al 41 | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 89 |
| Favara-Scacco et al 42 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | U | U | 78 |
| Nilsson et al 46 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 100 |
| Geyer et al 50 | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 89 |
| Govardhan et al 51 | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 89 |
| Hooke et al 52 | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 89 |
| Orsey et al 53 | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 89 |
| Thygeson et al 47 | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | 89 |
| Wurz et al 48 | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | 89 |
Abbreviations: Y, Yes; N, No; U, unclear.