Statistical analyses
Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 16(SPSS Inc. Released 2007. SPSS for Windows, Version 16.0. Chicago, SPSS Inc.). continuous and categorical variables were reported as mean±SD and frequency(percentage), respectively. The normal distribution of continuous variables was evaluated using the Kolmogorov- Smirnov test and Q-Q plot. Non-normality positive skewed data were subjected to logarithmic transformation. Comparison of basic continuous and categorical variables of study subjects between the placebo and LC groups was performed using independent sample t-test and chi-squared test. Paired samples t-test was used for for comparing before and after the intervention continuous variables in each study group. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used for comparing the mean values of continuous outcomes at the end of study between two groups and adjustment was made for baseline values. The repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare changes in SOFA score between two groups which was measured repeatedly during the study course. Muchly test of sphericity was evaluated and when it was violated we adopted multivariate analysis of variance for repeated measures ANOVA. Comparison of study qualitative outcomes between groups was done by the chi-squared test or Fisher exact test. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.