As the breastfeeding intervention can not be blinded, we rated all studies as being
at high risk of bias for blinding of participants and personnel.
The data from the 13 studies regarded to be
at high risk of bias show uniformly significant benefits on growth, sleep, crying and bilirubin levels.
While combining data from many studies improves statistical power, the researchers note that the associations between hormonal contraception and risk of becoming infected with HIV were attenuated for studies at lower risk of methodological bias compared to
those at higher risk of bias, suggesting that some of the risk found to be associated with hormonal contraception may be due to bias in the original studies.
Of these, 29 (73 %) were deemed to be
at high risk of bias, nine (23 %) at moderate risk of bias, and only two at low risk of bias, limiting the conclusions that could be drawn.
The remaining randomized clinical trials were «
at high risk of bias, owing to methodological limitations in the analysis and / or had poor reporting of the data.»
«Though some studies show cupping may have some effect, the science isn't good and the trials are
at a high risk of bias.
Sensitivity analysis will be conducted excluding trials judged to be
at high risk of bias.
The only evidence of a significant impact of massage on growth was obtained from a group of studies regarded to be
at high risk of bias.