Appendix 4a. Criteria for Grading Quality of Randomized Controlled Trials: The Jadad Score 25

Study received one point for each "yes" or zero point for each "no" for each of the following questions:

Was the study described as randomized such as using the words randomly, random, and randomization?
1. An additional point was given if method of randomization was described and it was appropriate (for example, table of random numbers, computer generated)
2. A point was deducted if the method of randomization was inappropriate (for example, patients allocated alternately by birth date or hospital number)
Was the study described as double blind?
1. An additional point was given if method of blinding was described and it was appropriate (for example, identical placebo)
2. An additional point was deducted if method of blinding was inappropriate (for example, comparing placebo tablet with injection)
Was there a description of withdrawals and dropouts?
Maximum number of points is 5.