Table 6 Efficacy outcome reporting for each included intervention

Mean Pain Scores-No. studies (no. patients receiving the intervention)⁺ reporting reduction in mean pain scores compared to baseline

No. studies reporting data for any pain intensity outcome

7

3

1

McGill questionnaire

2* (109)

Pain reduction measured by VRS

2* (81)

Pain intensity measured by NRS

1* (30)

1NR (32)

Pain intensity measured by BPI

2* (73)

Pain score measured by NPS-10, NPS-8 and NPS-4

1* (71)

Pain intensity measured by present pain intensity (PPI)

1* (81)

Percentage pain score reduction

1NR (16)

Pain severity measured by VAS

1* (18)

Quality of life-No. studies (no. patients receiving the intervention)⁺ reporting improvements in quality of life compared to baseline

No. studies reporting data for any quality of life outcome

4

1

0

SF-MPQ total, sensory and affective score

1*

Quality of life measured by the SF-12

1* (55)

Sleep interference measured by NRS

1* (55), 1NS (30)

Quality of sleep measured by VRS

1* (28)

Quality of sleep (instrument not reported)

1* (3)

Inference of mood measured by VRS

1* (28)

Daily activity measured by VRS

1* (28)

Function interference measured by NRS

1* (30)

Psychological stress measured by the Short Questionnaire on Current Burden

1* (55)

Pain associated distress measured by NRS

1* (30)

PGIC

1* (18)

Responders-No. studies (no. patients receiving the intervention)⁺ reporting data for outcome

No. studies reporting data for any pain relief outcome

4

4

0

Complete pain relief

1 (53)

2 (48)

range of percentages reported

25%

13-22%

A lot of pain relief

2 (48)

range of percentages reported

25-34%

Moderate pain relief

2 (48)

range of percentages reported

33-44%

Pain reduction of ≥ 50%

3 (158)

2 (7)

33-49%

100%^a

Pain reduction 10-50%

2 (105)

1 (33)

range of percentages reported

17%^b

NR^c

Non-responders

3 (132)

2 (52)

range of percentages reported

26-46%

6-20%