Table 2 Completeness of reporting domains of methods sections with and without the writing aid tool

Global score for completeness of reporting for all domains (primary outcome)

7.1 (1.2)

5.0 (1.6)

2.1 (1.5–2.7)

<0.001*

Score for completeness of reporting for essential elements

7.8 (1.6)

6.4 (2.3)

1.4 (0.5–2.3)

0.002*

Completeness of reporting score by individual domain

 Trial design

8.1 (2.3)

2.7 (1.9)

5.4 (4.1–6.7)

<0.01**

 Randomization

8.4 (2.4)

4.6 (2.9)

3.8 (1.1–4.4)

<0.01**

 Blinding

6.9 (2.0)

6.2 (2.3)

0.7 (–0.7 to 2.0)

0.44**

 Participants

6.7 (2.0)

4.5 (2.4)

2.2 (0.8–3.6)

<0.01**

 Interventions

7.1 (1.5)

5.3 (2.0)

1.8 (0.7–2.9)

<0.01**

 Outcomes

6.1 (2.1)

6.4 (3.0)

–0.3 (–2.0 to 1.3)

0.78**