13c

Describe any methods used to tabulate or visually display results of individual studies and syntheses.

13d

Describe any methods used to synthesize results and provide a rationale for the choice(s). If meta-analysis was performed, describe the model(s), method(s) to identify the presence and extent of statistical heterogeneity, and software package(s) used.

13e

Describe any methods used to explore possible causes of heterogeneity among study results (e.g. subgroup analysis, meta-regression).

13f

Describe any sensitivity analyses conducted to assess robustness of the synthesized results.

Reporting bias assessment

14

Describe any methods used to assess risk of bias due to missing results in a synthesis (arising from reporting biases).

Certainty assessment

15

Describe any methods used to assess certainty (or confidence) in the body of evidence for an outcome.

RESULTS

Study selection

16a

Describe the results of the search and selection process, from the number of records identified in the search to the number of studies included in the review, ideally using a flow diagram.

16b

Cite studies that might appear to meet the inclusion criteria, but which were excluded, and explain why they were excluded.

Study characteristics

17

Cite each included study and present its characteristics.

Risk of bias in studies

18

Present assessments of risk of bias for each included study.

Results of individual studies

19

For all outcomes, present, for each study: (a) summary statistics for each group (where appropriate) and (b) an effect estimate and its precision (e.g. confidence/credible interval), ideally using structured tables or plots.

Results of syntheses

20a

For each synthesis, briefly summarise the characteristics and risk of bias among contributing studies.

20b

Present results of all statistical syntheses conducted. If meta-analysis was done, present for each the summary estimate and its precision (e.g. confidence/credible interval) and measures of statistical heterogeneity. If comparing groups, describe the direction of the effect.

20c

Present results of all investigations of possible causes of heterogeneity among study results.

20d

Present results of all sensitivity analyses conducted to assess the robustness of the synthesized results.

Reporting biases

21

Present assessments of risk of bias due to missing results (arising from reporting biases) for each synthesis assessed.

Certainty of evidence

22

Present assessments of certainty (or confidence) in the body of evidence for each outcome assessed.

DISCUSSION

Discussion

23a

Provide a general interpretation of the results in the context of other evidence.

23b

Discuss any limitations of the evidence included in the review.

23c

Discuss any limitations of the review processes used.

23d

Discuss implications of the results for practice, policy, and future research.