Table 1 Characteristics of included trials: Chronic pain trials
Trial | Clinical problem | Sample size (% dropout rate) | Concealment | Outcome used for meta-analysis | Intervention details | Standard basic care in all groups | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Birch & Jamison [38] | Chonic myofascial neck pain | 46 (22%) | Unclear | Change from baseline on pain intensity rating scale | N:14 D:30 T:12w | Ac:C JA S:I C 2 | NSAIDs if needed |
Brinkhaus et al. [39] | Chronic low-back pain | 298 (6%) | Adequate | PMOM: VAS pain intensity week 8 | N:12 D:30 T:8w | Ac:B CA S:I B 1 | NSAIDs if needed |
Cherkin et al. [42] | Chronic low-back pain | 638 (5%) | Adequate | PMOM: Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire week 8 | N:10 D:20 T:7w | Ac1:A CA Ac2:C CA S:C II 3 | Self-care book, usual care as needed |
Faccoa et al. [44] | Migraine | 160 (21%) | Adequateb | Migraine Disability Index (MIDAS) at 3 months | N:20 D:30 T:11w | Ac:A CA S1:II A 3 S2:II C 3 | Rizatriptan for attacks in all patients |
Foster et al. [46] | Osteoarthritis of the knee | 352 (7%) | Adequate | WOMAC pain scale at 6 weeks (PMOM: 6 months) | N:6 D:30 T:3w | Ac:A CA S:II A 3 | Individual exercise, advice, NSAIDs if neededd |
Helms [49] | Primary dysmenorrhea | 48 (10%) | Unclear | Monthly pain score week 12 | N:9 D:30 T:12w | Ac:C CA S:I C 1 | No treatment |
Kotani et al. [51] | Treatment-resistant pain at abdominal scares | 70 (0) | Adequate | VAS intensity continuous pain after treatment | N:20 Dc T:4w | Ac:A TA S:I A 1 | Diclofenac as necessary |
Lee & Lee [52] | Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain | 39 (19%) | Unclear | PMOM: Change NIH-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index | N:12 D:20 T:6w | Ac:C EA S:I C 1 | Advice and basic exercises |
Leibing et al. [53] | Chronic low-back pain | 131 (13%) | Unclear | Decrease intensity of pain (VAS) at 12 weeks | N:20 D:30 T:12w | Ac:C CA S:I C 1 | 26 sessions standardized physiotherapyd |
Linde et al. [56] | Migraine | 302 (9%) | Adequate | PMOM: Days with at least moderate headache in weeks 9 to 12 | N:12 D:30 T:8w | Ac:B CA Sc:I B 1 | Attack medication as needed |
Melchart et al. [58] | Tension-type headache | 270 (8)% | Adequate | PMOM: Number of days with headache in weeks 9 to 12 | N:12 D:30 T:8w | Ac:B CA S:I B 1 | Pain medication as needed |
Molsberger et al. [59] | Chronic low-back pain | 186 (6%) | Adequate | VAS pain intensity after 1 month (dichotomous PMOM) | N:12 D:30 T:4w | Ac:B CA S:I C 1 | Orthopedic rehabilitation programd |
Suarez-Almazora et al. [64] | Osteoarthritis of the knee | 535 (8%) | Adequateb | WOMAC pain scale at 3 months | N:12 D:20 T:6w | Ac:C CA S:I C 1 | NSAIDs and analgesics as before study |
Witt et al. [67] | Osteoarthritis of the knee | 294 (5%) | Adequate | PMOM: WOMAC total score after baseline at 8 weeks | N:12 D:30 T:8w | Ac:B CA S:I B 1 | NSAIDs if needed |