Table 2 Key for Tables 1 and 3 Interpreting the direction of effect in included reviews
Symbol | Interpretation |
|---|---|
↑ | At least half of a given review’s included primary studies showed a statistically significant increase in a particular outcome following the intervention (or pooled results from a meta-analysis indicated a statistically significant positive association) |
↓ | At least half of a given review’s included primary studies showed a statistically significant decrease in a particular outcome following the intervention (or pooled results from a meta-analysis indicated a statistically significant negative association) |
↔ | A review reported mixed findings i.e. some primary studies may have shown a significant difference between intervention and control groups whereas others showed no significant differences |
= | A review where no significant differences between intervention and control groups were reported in any of the included primary studies |