Table 1.
Methodological Quality of the Studies according to Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies [39].
| Author/Year | Selection Bias | Study Design | Confounders | Blinding | Data Collection Methods | Withdrawals and Drops Out | Final Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Maastrup (2014) [40] | Strong | Moderate | Moderate | Weak | Strong | Strong | Moderate |
| 2. Maastrup (2014) [41] |
Strong | Moderate | Moderate | Weak | Strong | Strong | Moderate |
| 3. Dadalto (2016) [42] | Moderate | Moderate | Strong | Strong | Strong | Strong | Strong |
| 4. Carcavalli (2018) [43] | Moderate | Strong | Strong | Moderate | Strong | Strong | Strong |
| 5. Kamhawy (2014) [13] | Moderate | Strong | Strong | Strong | Strong | Strong | Strong |
| 7. Say (2018) [44] | Moderate | Strong | Moderate | Strong | Strong | Strong | Strong |
| 8. Fucile (2021) [45] | Moderate | Strong | Strong | Strong | Strong | Strong | Strong |
| 9. Maastrup (2021) [46] |
Strong | Strong | Strong | Strong | Strong | Strong | Strong |
| 10. Shaki (2022) [5] | Moderate | Strong | Strong | Moderate | Strong | Strong | Strong |
Notes: All parameters are rated as Strong, Moderate or Weak (receiving 1, 2 or 3 points, respectively) according to specific questions. Section of bias: Are the individuals selected to participate in the study likely to be representative of the target population? (b) What percentage of selected individuals agreed to participate? Study design: (a) the study design; (b) was the study described as randomized? Confounders: (a) Were there important differences between groups prior to the intervention? (b) If yes, indicate the percentage of relevant confounders that were controlled (either in the design (e.g., stratification, matching) or analysis)? Blinding: (a) was (were) the outcome assessor(s) aware of the intervention or exposure status of participants? (b) Were the study participants aware of the research question? Data collection methods: (a) were data collection tools shown to be valid? (b) were data collection tools shown to be reliable? Withdrawals and drops out: (a) Were withdrawals and drop-outs reported in terms of numbers and/or reasons per group? (b) Indicate the percentage of participants completing the study.