Table 1

Type of studies in two groups

Group IGroup II
Study typesConventional RCTs

  • Q-RCTs

  • NRCTs

  • PCS's

AssessmentCochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool

  • NRS checklist

  • Cochrane Collaboration

  • NRSMG tool

Analysis

  • Random-effect model (DerSimonian-Laird effect)

  • Cumulative meta-analysis

Random-effect model (DerSimonian-Laird effect)

  • non-RCT, non-randomised controlled trials; NRCTs, non-randomised controlled trials; NRSMG, Non-Randomized Study Methods Group; PCS's, double-armed prospective cohort studies; Q-RCTs, quasi-randomised controlled trials; RCT, randomised controlled trials.