Statistical analysis
SD
The sample size required for this study was based on pre-trial estimates of induction time and the time until fully alert. The mean induction times of the RT, RT + flumazenil and propofol groups were 55s, 58s and 51s, respectively, and the standard deviations (SD) for each group were 5s, 3s and 2s, respectively. Assuming an α = 0.05 and a power of 80% (two-sided tests), we calculated that a sample of 33 participants for each arm were required using the PASS 15 software (NCSS Corp., USA). The same method was used to estimate that at least 15 participants per arm were required to evaluate time until fully alert. Allowing for dropouts and non-evaluable data, a minimum of 38 participants were recruited for each group.Analysis was performed according to the modified intention-to-treat principle. Data were presented using mean ± SD or median (25th, 75th percentiles) for continuous variables, and frequency counts and percentages for nominal variables. The Shapiro–Wilk test was used to determine whether continuous outcomes were normally distributed. Normally distributed data were tested using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), with pairwise comparisons made with the least square mean values t test. Nonparametric data were tested with the Kruskal–Wallis test, with pairwise comparisons made with the Wilcoxon-rank sum test. Categorical outcomes were compared with the χ2 analysis or Fisher’s exact test in the setting of low expected cell counts. Endpoints assessed at different times were analyzed using the mixed-model repeated measures analysis. All outcomes were considered exploratory in nature and thus no correction for multiple comparisons was made. All statistical tests were two-tailed, and significance was defined using a P value < 0.05. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS19.0 software (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA) and R software version 4.1.0 (The R Foundation, Vienna, Austria).