Appendix 4.1: JBI Critical appraisal checklist for randomized controlled trials

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No

Unclear

NA

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

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2. Was allocation to treatment groups concealed?

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3. Were treatment groups similar at the baseline?

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4. Were participants blind to treatment assignment?

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5. Were those delivering treatment blind to treatment assignment?

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6. Were outcomes assessors blind to treatment assignment?

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

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

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

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

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11. Were outcomes measured in a reliable way?

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12. Was appropriate statistical analysis used?

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13. Was the trial design appropriate, and any deviations from the standard RCT design (individual randomization, parallel groups) accounted for in the conduct and analysis of the trial?

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