Table 4 Assessment of risk of bias
From: Effects of low-level laser therapy on orthodontic miniscrew stability: a systematic review
Article | Judgement | Support for judgement |
|---|---|---|
Abdullah Ekizer et al. 2016 | ||
Random sequence generation (selection bias) | Low risk | Quote: Trial and placebo sides were selected on a random basis. (coin toss) |
Allocation concealment (selection bias) | Low risk | Quote: Twenty envelopes containing the subjects’ information were used to ensure allocation concealment from the researchers. Sequential numbers were written on the envelopes |
Blinding of participants and personnel | Low risk | Both the investigators and the participants remained blinded to treatment |
Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) | Low risk | Quote: The measurements of the data were done by a clinician blinded to the assignment |
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) | Low risk | All randomized patients were accounted for |
Selective reporting (reporting bias) | Low risk | No suggestion of incomplete reporting of data and outcome |
Other bias | Low risk | Study appears to be free of other sources of bias |
Osman A et al. 2017 | ||
Random sequence generation (selection bias) | Low risk | Quote: Both sides were randomly selected by tossing a coin, in which the face was the study side and the back was the control side for each selected patient |
Allocation concealment (selection bias) | Unclear risk | Method of concealment was not mentioned |
Blinding of participants and personnel | High risk | Participants was blind, but not Clinician and investigator |
Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) | Unclear risk | it was not mentioned whether blinding of outcome assessors was done or not |
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) | Low risk | All randomized patients were accounted for |
Selective reporting (reporting bias) | Low risk | No suggestion of incomplete reporting of data and outcome |
Other bias | Unclear risk | Source of funding was not mentioned |
Ahmed Mohamed Abohabib et al. 2018 | ||
Random sequence generation (selection bias) | Low risk | Quote: Block randomization was performed with a 1:1 allocation. The sequence of the sides subjected to low-intensity laser light and the control was computer-generated with random numbers |
Allocation concealment (selection bias) | Low risk | Quote: The allocation was carried out using opaque sealed envelopes. On the day of mini-implant placement, which was also the first day of laser light application, each subject chose one envelope to detect their randomized allocation |
Blinding of participants and personnel | Low risk | Both the clinician and the participants remained blinded to treatment |
Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) | Low risk | Assessor measured the stability values blindly for each side at every evaluation interval |
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) | Low risk | Dropout patients were reported and the reasons were mentioned |
Selective reporting (reporting bias) | High risk | No suggestion of incomplete reporting of data and outcome |
Other bias | Unclear risk | Source of funding was not mentioned |