Table 5 Criteria to assess the risk for bias
Domain | Description | Review author’s judgement |
|---|---|---|
Sequence generation | Describe the method used to generate the allocation sequence | Was the allocation sequence adequately generated? (Yes, No, Unclear) |
Allocation concealment | Describe the method used to conceal the allocation sequence | Was allocation adequately concealed? (Yes, No, Unclear) |
Blinding of participants, personnel, and outcome | Describe all measures used to blind participants and personnel | Was knowledge of the allocated intervention adequately prevented during the study? (Yes, No, Unclear) |
Incomplete outcome data | Describe the completeness of outcome data for each main outcome including attrition and exclusions from the analysis. | Were incomplete outcome data adequately addressed? (Yes, No, Unclear) |
Selective outcome reporting | State how the possibility of selective outcome reporting was examined by the review authors and what was found. | Are reports of the study free of suggestion of selective outcome reporting? (Yes, No, Unclear) |
Other sources of bias | State any important concerns about bias not addressed in the other domains. | Was the study apparently free of other problems that could put it at high risk of bias? |