Figure 1
The flowchart is arranged top to bottom, showing a systematic article selection process with four vertically aligned stages on the left labeled “Identification”, “Screening”, “Eligibility”, and “Included”. At the top, under “Identification”, a rectangle labeled “Total articles identified from: Scopus database (n equals 283)” appears, with a solid downward arrow connecting to the next stage. Under “Screening”, a rectangle labeled “Total articles Screened: (n equals 283)” is shown. From this rectangle, a solid rightward arrow points to a rectangle labeled “Articles excluded based on the application of inclusion criteria as disclosed in Table 11 (n = 144)”. A solid downward arrow from “Total articles Screened” leads to the “Eligibility” stage, where a rectangle labeled “Abstract of articles assessed for eligibility: (n equals 119)” appears. From this eligibility rectangle, a solid rightward arrow points to a rectangle labeled “Articles excluded due to the lack of relevance (n equals 39)”. A solid downward arrow then leads to the final stage labeled “Included”, which contains a rectangle reading “Final dataset in the review process: (n equals 80)”.The PRISMA flowchart. Source: Moher (2009)