70 patients entered the study and only 2 failed to complete it. However it is not clear in the results discussion, if the data reflects all patients in the study. We are not sure how the non-attenders were handled. All the data is analyzed within the two groups. There is no discussion of patients crossing over to the other group.
All data analysis is done within the two groups.
This is a single blind study. Obviously patients could not be blinded to type of clinician. When patients or clinicians cannot be blinded, addtional steps must be taken to reduce bias. In this study the outcomes were measured by an independent assessor. See section under study design and study procedure for ways to eliminate bias.