Risk of bias criterion | Judgement | Reason for judgement |
---|---|---|
Allocation sequence generation | High risk | Non-randomised method used |
Allocation concealment | High risk | Controlled before and after study |
Similarity in baseline outcome measurements | High risk | Although all sites had low recruitment prior to the intervention, this was imbalanced across the sites |
Similarity in baseline characteristics | Low risk | Similar recruitment processes across sites |
Incomplete outcome data addressed | Low risk | No missing data |
Knowledge of the allocated intervention | Low risk | Objective outcomes, not affected by knowledge of the intervention |
Protection against contamination | Low risk | Allocation was by study site |
Free from selective reporting | Low risk | All pre-specified outcomes are reported |
Free from other risks of bias | Unclear risk | Possible risk from confounders |