2.5. Statistical Analysis
Standard methods of analyses for randomised controlled trials were employed. Data distribution was verified via the Shapiro-Wilk test. Continuous variables are reported as the mean ± standard deviation or mean (95% confidence interval), while categorical variables are reported as the median (interquartile range).Baseline comparisons between groups were performed with independent samples Within-group comparisons throughout each period were performed with paired samples Missing data, despite being present in a negligible number (A 