Table 6 Evidence table on identified guidance for appraising LSRs with a narrative summary of extracted data

(1)RQ & inclusion criteria (N = 0/2)^a

(2)Methods established prior to the conduct & justify deviation from the protocol (N = 1/2)

Whether/how the difference between protocol and review was assessed:

• Authors should note that the updated review includes additional methods pertaining to the LSR and refer the reader to the living systematic review protocol appendix [3]

Whether/how the difference between review versions was assessed: no evidence^a

(3)Explain study selection (N = 0/2)^a

(4)Use of comprehensive search strategy (N = 1/2)

• Ongoing search is recommended [3]

Conducted search within a certain month of LSR completion: no evidence^a

• Searched study registries are recommended [3]

• Searched reference list/gray literature is recommended [3]

(5)Study selection in duplicate (N = 0/2)^a

(6)Data extraction in duplicate (N = 0/2)^a

(7)List of excluded studies & justification (N = 0/2)^a

(8)Adequate description of included studies (N = 0/2)^a

(9)Use of appropriate RoB assessment technique (N = 2/2)

• Accumulation bias [24]

• If new relevant methods emerged that would be appropriate to integrate into the methods it is recommended (risk of bias tools) new evidence will be assessed with risk of bias tool [3]

(10)Funding of included studies reported (N = 0/2)^a

(11)Use of appropriate methods for meta-analysis (N = 1/2)

• Refer to overview of the Framework for Adaptive Meta-analysis [3]

(12)(if meta-analysis) assessment of potential RoB impact on pooled results (N = 0/2)^a

(13)Accounted for RoB when interpreting/discussing the results (N = 0/2)^a

(14)Explanation & discussion of heterogeneity observed in results (N = 0/2)^a

(15)(if quantitative synthesis) adequate investigation of publication bias & impact on result (N = 0/2)^a

(16)Report of potential COI sources (funding) (N = 0/2)^a

Use & handling of preprints (N = 0/2)^a

Guidance on using a specific checklist (N = 0/2)^a