Table 1 Summary of factors influencing the methodological quality of reviewed papers
Reference number | Study design | Groups similar at baseline | Blinding | Falls reporting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
[9] | RCT | Yes | Assessors | Prospective, postal report |
RCT (factorial) | Yes | Assessors | Prospective, postal report | |
[65] | Pilot RCT | Yes | Assessor | Prospective, diary, interview |
[39] | Pilot RCT | Yes | Assessors | Prospective, calendar |
[61] | RCT | Yes | None | Prospective, postal report |
[10] | RCT | Yes | Assessors | Retrospective, recall at 3, 6 and 12Â months |
[22] | RCT | No | Assessors | Prospective, falls log, telephone follow-up |
[35] | RCT | No | Assessors | Prospective, calendar, interview |
[8] | RCT | Yes | Assessors | Prospective, postal report |
[43] | RCT | Yes | Assessors | Prospective, calendar, telephone |
[44] | RCT | Yes | Assessors | Prospective, calendar, telephone |
[4] | RCT | Yes | Assessors | Prospective, postal report |
[27] | Cluster RCT | No | Unspecified | Prospective, report at baseline, 5Â months and 1.5Â years |
[33] | Cluster RCT | No | Unspecified | Prospective, postal/telephone report, injurious falls only |
[37] | RCT | Yes | Assessors | Prospective, postal report |
[47] | RCT | Yes | None | Retrospective, interview/telephone |
[53] | RCT | Yes | Assessors | Prospective, diary |
[56] | RCT | Yes | Assessors | Retrospective, 1-year recall |
[64] | RCT | Yes | Unspecified | Retrospective, 15-week recall |
[52] | RCT | Yes | Assessors | Prospective, calendar, telephone |
[63] | RCT | No | Unspecified | Not specified |
[29] | RCT | Yes | Assessors | Retrospective 6-month recall |
[32] | RCT | Yes | Assessors | Prospective, diary and reminders |
[42] | Cluster RCT | Yes | Unspecified | Prospective, weekly interview, monthly diary |
[2] | RCT | Yes | Assessors | Prospective, postal survey |
[62] | RCT | No | Unspecified | Prospective, calendar/telephone |
[28] | Multi-centre controlled trial | No | Unspecified | Prospective, monthly diary, weekly report |
[30] | RCT | Yes | Assessors and participants | Retrospective at baseline (6-month recall), prospective calendar, monthly telephone |
[55] | RCT | Yes | Unspecified | Prospective, diary, telephone |
[20] | Semi-RCT | Yes | Assessors | Prospective, postal report, telephone interview |
[13] | Pilot RCT | Yes | Assessors | Prospective, diary |