Table 4 The criteria rated by five tools (Cochrane collaboration, Joanna Briggs Institute Clinical appraisal checklist for experimental studies, QUADAS tool, Timmer’s analysis tool, OHAT)

Rationale of study

Rationale of study

–

+

–

–

–

Reasonable sample size

–

+

+

–

Description of data collection

–

+

+

+

–

Appropriate method of data collection

–

+

–

+

–

Sample collection tool

–

+

–

–

–

Representative/ appropriate samples

–

–

+

+

–

The balanced baseline characteristics between intervention groups

+

–

–

–

+

Detailed sample data

–

+

–

+

–

Description of control/reference standard

–

–

+

–

–

Appropriate control/reference

–

–

–

+

–

Randomization of allocation sequence

+

–

–

+

–

Adequate randomization

–

–

–

–

+

Allocation sequence

+

–

–

–

–

Sample/Participants

+

–

–

+

+

Investigators/Assessors

+

–

–

+

+

Full description of procedures

–

+

–

–

–

Samples received proper procedure

+

–

+

–

–

Identical procedure between group

–

–

–

–

+

Choice of appropriate method

–

–

+

+

+

Appropriate control/reference standard

–

–

+

–

–

The ability for replication

–

–

+

–

–

Appropriate analysis

+

+

+

+

Justification of method analysis

+

–

–

–

Identical analysis between group

+

–

–

–

–

Adjust confounders

–

–

–

+

+

Complete reported results

+

–

–

+

+

Complete data

+

–

–

–

–

No selection of reported results

+

–

–

–

–

Intermediate results reported

–

–

+

–

–

Missing data reported

+

–

+

+

–

Clinical practice reflection

–

–

+

–

–