*4.9. Data Synthesis*

For continuous outcomes, mean di fferences (MD) and 95% CI were used to summarize the data for each group. All statistical analyses were conducted with Review Manager 5.3. Heterogeneity was assessed with Cochran's test for heterogeneity undertaken prior to each meta-analysis, and I2 statistics.

**Funding:** This research received no external funding.

**Author Contributions:** Conceptualization, S.G., C.K.C. and J.E.; methodology, S.G.; software, J.E.; validation, S.G. and M.A.N.; formal analysis, J.E.; investigation, S.G. and J.E.; resources, J.E.; data curation, S.G.; writing—original draft preparation, S.G., J.E. and R.A.; writing—review and editing, J.E., C.K.C. and R.A.; visualization, M.A.N.; supervision, J.E. and R.A.; project administration, J.E.

**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflict of interest.
