Item number from original study* | Dimension of bias | Methods domain | Assessment question | Criteria / definitions / categories |
---|---|---|---|---|
Q2 | Selection bias | Sample definition and selection | · Are critical inclusion/exclusion criteria clearly stated? | · Target population described? |
· Ascertainment procedure for target sample described? | ||||
· Study sample representative of the target population described? | ||||
· Age range, gender, etc. described? | ||||
· Specific inclusion/exclusion criteria stated? | ||||
· Sample size described? | ||||
Q3 | Information bias | Sample definition and selection | · Are the inclusion/exclusion criteria measured using valid and reliable measures | · Ascertainment procedure: Random, stratified, cluster, etc. (if applicable) |
· Registry (census, GP databases) (reporting bias?) (if applicable) | ||||
· Medical records (clinical or hospital records) (if applicable) | ||||
· Non-response analysis (non-response bias) (if applicable) | ||||
· Sample size: is it justified or is a power calculation provided? | ||||
Q14 | Information bias | Soundness of information | · Are outcome measures assessed using valid and reliable measures? | · Questionnaire (is it valid and/or reproducible?) (if applicable) |
· Registry (i.e. census, GP databases) (reporting bias?) (if applicable) | ||||
· Interviewing bias (i.e. structured, semi-structured, objective) (if applicable) | ||||
· Self-reporting (risk of recall bias; shorter recall better than longer recall) (if applicable) | ||||
· Observation, examination procedure (observer bias?) (if applicable) | ||||
· Q7 | · Performance bias | · Exposure | · What is the level of detail in describing the outcome? | · Definition of the MSK condition; anatomical, physiological. (required) |
· Definition of symptom(s) (pain, problem, other) (required) | ||||
· Definition of period of symptom(s) (required, only if applicable) | ||||
· Description of pain intensity (if applicable, not required) | ||||
· Overall judgment | · Low risk of bias: Bias, if present, is unlikely to alter the results seriously | |||
· Unclear risk of bias: Impossible to determine risk of bias (either missing or not described well enough) | ||||
 |  |  |  | · High risk of bias: Bias may alter the results seriously |