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Table 2 Study effects, by study design

From: Adding non-randomised studies to a Cochrane review brings complementary information for healthcare stakeholders: an augmented systematic review and meta-analysis

Number of studies reporting SS effect / number of studies reporting outcome

Studies in Cochrane review

Newly added studies

RCT

QRCT

CBA*

CBA

BA

ITS

XS

N = 15

N = 1

N = 4

N = 7

N = 22

N = 6

N = 2

Asthma-specific quality of life

9 / 12

1 / 1

1 / 1

2 / 3

5 / 5

-

-

Hospitalisations

3 / 6

0 / 1

0 / 2

3 / 4

8 / 13

3 / 6

0 / 1

ED or unscheduled visits

1 / 6

0 / 1

0 / 2

3 / 4

13 / 16

1 / 2

1 / 1

Asthma self-efficacy

4 / 5

-

1 / 1

2 / 2

3 / 3

-

1 / 1

Asthma severity

5 / 8

1 / 1

-

2 / 2

6 / 7

1 / 1

1 / 1

Days off school or work

0 / 2

-

0 / 1

0 / 1

8 / 11

-

-

Use of an action plan

1 / 2

-

2 / 2

3 / 3

4 / 5

1 / 2

1 / 1

Patient satisfaction

0 / 2

0 / 1

-

-

2 / 3

0 / 1

-

Lung function

4 / 12

0 / 1

-

1 / 1

6 / 13

-

-

  1. RCT randomised controlled trial, QRCT quasi-randomised controlled trial, CBA* controlled before-after study (with at least two intervention and two control sites), CBA controlled before-after study, ITS interrupted-times-series study, BA before-after study (without external control group), XS cross-sectional study (with concurrent measurement of intervention exposure and outcomes), SS statistically significant, ED emergency department