Table 2

Assessment of study quality for studies included in meta-analysis

Study ID
Randomisation
Blinding
Outcome measure: Blood pressure
Loss of follow up
Funding source

Kandziora J 1988 (Study 1), [11]
+
++
Primary, Mean of 2 readings each standing + supine
Unclear
-
Auer et al. 1990, [12]
+
++
Primary, Mean standing + supine
Unclear
-
Vorberg & Schneider 1990, [13]
+
++
Primary, Mean standing + supine
G: 0%, C: 0%
-
Holzgartner et al. 1992, [14]
+
++
Secondary, Unclear
G: 4.8%; C: 4.8%; T: 4.8%
-
Kiesewetter et al. 1993, [15]
+
++
Primary, Riva Rocci method
G: 20%; C: 20%; T: 20%
-
Jain et al. 1993, [16]
+
++
Primary, Mean of 2 readings after 10 min rest; standard technique (JNC 1988)
Unclear
Industry grant
Saradeth et al. 1994, [17]
+
++
Primary, Riva Rocci method
G: 2.8%; C: 8.3%; T: 5.6%
-
Simons et al. 1995, [18]
+
++
Primary, Mean of 2 readings after 5 min rest, phase V diastolic BP
T: 9.7%
Industry grant
Steiner et al. 1996, [19] parallel arm
+
++
Primary, Unclear, manual
T: 21.2%
-
Adler & Holub 1997, [20]
+
++
Primary, Sitting digital
T: 8%
Heart & Stroke Foundation
Zhang et al. 2000, [21]
+
++
Primary, Over 10–30 min until repeated low values were obtained, means of 3 lowest pulse rates + associated BP values
G: 6.7%; C: 13.3%; T: 10%
Industry grant

+: adequate; ++: double blinding; -: not provided

Ried et al. BMC Cardiovascular Disorders 2008 8:13   doi:10.1186/1471-2261-8-13