Table 3 Quality assessment using a modified version of the CASP checklist for cohort studies [11] and CASP Randomized Controlled Trials Checklist [12]

Clark et al. [14]

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

n/a

n/a

Yes

Can’t tell

Yes

Can’t tell

Shinohara et al. [15]

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

n/a

n/a

Yes

Can’t tell

Yes

Can’t tell

Ficarra et al. [16]

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

n/a

n/a

Yes

Can’t tell

Yes

Can’t tell

Onishi et al. [17]

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Can’t tell

Yes

Yes

Can’t tell

Yes

Can’t tell

Wang et al. [18]

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

n/a

n/a

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Sandbergen et al. [19]

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Watanabe et al. [21]

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Can’t tell

Yes

Yes

Yes

Can’t tell

Yes

Yes

Study (RCT)

Clearly focused question

Randomization to intervention

All patients entering study accounted for

A: Patients “blinded”

B: Investigators “blinded”

C: “People assessing blinded”

Study groups similar at baseline

Did intervention and control group receive same level of care?

Effects of intervention reported comprehensively

Precision of estimate of treatment effect reported

Benefits of intervention outweigh the harms and costs

Can the results be applied to the local population?

Would the intervention provide greater value to the patients in your care that any of the existing interventions?

Breau et al. [20]

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes