Studies were included independent of data analysis method (intention-to-treat or other).
Missing data were imputed using the last-observation-carried-forward method (intention-to-treat). Changes between the yoga and control group were determined by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) of the post-treatment score controlling for the baseline score.
The following domains were assessed: allocation generation and concealment, blinding, duration of follow-up, numbers of subjects not included in follow-up, and data analysis method (intention-to-treat or per protocol).
Methods: Intention to change was assessed in a representative sample of Stockholm's population (n = 4278, response rate 56.5%).
Two statistical analyzing methods, intention to treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP), were applied to assess the main curative indexes, including Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Self-rating depression scale (SDS), and Rating Scale for Side Effects (SERS) scores.
The first (and standard) method is intention-to-treat (ITT) that assumes that every patient allocated to be intervention actually received it [ 75].
Second, we demonstrated the method with the intention to make it compelling to other researchers as a useful tool in assessing causal relationships.
The method must use intention to focus on a particular field of study, like a person has when working on a crossword puzzle or jigsaw.
Statistical methods employed an intention to treat and repeated-measures design.
Strengths of this study include the randomised design, blinding of the primary outcome assessors, sample size determined from power calculation achieved, appropriate statistical methods including intention-to-treat analysis and linear mixed models applied, moderate withdrawal and reporting according to CONSORT guidelines.
In addition, researchers routinely failed to follow a standard method of data analysis called intention to treat.
