Table 2 Results of the analysis of the Joanna Briggs Institute appraisal checklist for critical evaluation of randomized controlled studies

1. Was true randomization used for assignment of participants to treatment groups?

2. Was allocation to groups concealed?

3. Were treatment groups similar at the baseline?

4. Were participants blind to treatment assignment?

5. Were those delivering the treatment blind to treatment assignment?

6. Were treatment groups treated identically other than the intervention of interest?

7. Were outcome assessors blind to treatment assignment?

8. Were outcomes measured in the same way for treatment groups?

9. Were outcomes measured in a reliable way?

10. Was follow-up complete and, if not, were differences between groups in terms of their follow-up adequately described and analyzed?

11. Were participants analyzed in the groups to which they were randomized?