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Table 1 Overview of included review articles

From: A scoping review of network meta-analyses assessing the efficacy and safety of complementary and alternative medicine interventions

Author and year; country

Condition

Funding

# Included studies (patients)*

# Nodes in network*

Compared CAM with non-CAM?

CAM therapies studied?

Endpoints

Study designs included

Bayes (B) or frequentist (F) approach?

Consistency assumption addressed?

Provides a measurement of treatment ranking (e.g. SUCRA)?

Devoe (2018); Canada [44]

Clinical high risk for psychosis

Public

41 (3146)

7

Yes

Omega-3

Reduction of attenuated psychotic symptoms

RCTs; NRS

F

Yes

Yes

Di (2018); China [111]

Cerebral infarction

Public

37 (4330)

6

Yes

Ginkgo-dipyidamolum injections; Shuxuening injections; Ginaton injections; Ginkgolides injections; Floium Ginkgo extract and Tertram Ethypyrazine Sodium Chloride injections

Total effectiveness of cerebral infarction, changes of neural function defect score, ADRs/ADEs

RCTs

B

Yes

Yes

Feng (2018); China [58]

Insomnia

Public

20 (1339)

12

Yes

Acupuncture, language induction, listening to music, listening to music and acupuncture, listening to music and language induction, listening to placebo music, music-assisted relaxation, music-assisted relaxation and stimulus control, music with exercise, stimulus control

Sleep quality, sleep onset latency, sleep efficiency

RCTs; CCTs

B

Yes

Yes

Freeman (2018); UK [51]

Psychologic preparation for surgery under general anesthesia

Public

71 (NR)

16

Yes

Relaxation

Length of stay, postoperative pain, negative affect

RCTs

B

No

Yes

Fu (2018); China [50]

Spasticity in multiple sclerosis

Public

23 (2n720)

5

Yes

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

Spasticity scale, incidence of significant improvement, adverse effects

RCTs

B

No

Yes

Hilfiker (2018); Switzerland [54]

Cancer-related fatigue

Not reported

245 (NR)

12

Yes

Tai Chi, yoga, relaxation, dance, massage, music, healing touch

Cancer-related fatigue

RCTs; quasi-randomized

B

Yes

Yes

Khan (2018); Malaysia [71]

Stimulation of breast milk production

Public

5 (320)

6

No

Coleus amboinicus Lour (CA), fenugreek, palm dates

Milk production, maternal and neonatal safety

RCTs

F

No

No

Lee (2018); Korea [53]

Atrophic vaginitis

Public

9 (4034)

7

Yes

Sea buckthorn oil, soy isoflavone vaginal gel.

Efficacy for treatment of atrophic vaginitis and vaginal symptoms

RCTs

B

Yes

Yes

Liang (2018); China [70]

Alzheimer’s disease

Not reported

17 (1931)

4

Yes

Music therapy

Mini-Mental State Examination, Neuropsychiatric Inventory

RCTs

B

No

Yes

Pang (2018); China [56]

Prevention of type 2 diabetes (in patients with prediabetes)

Public

63 (8649)

11

Yes

Traditional Chinese medicine

Incidence of diabetes, regression to normoglycaemia

RCTs

F

No

Yes

Slade (2018); UK [45]

Bulemia nervosa

Public

21 (1828)

12

Yes

Relaxation

Full remission at the end of treatment

RCTs

B

Yes

Yes

Tsikopoulos (2018); Greece [52]

Chronic ankle instability

Not reported

19 (789)

13

Yes

Manual therapy

Foot and Ankle Ability Measure, Foot and Ankle Disability Index, Ankle Joint Functional Assessment Tool

RCTs

F

Yes

Yes

van den Akker (2018); Netherlands [47]

Pre-term birth adverse endpoints

No funding

51 (11,231)

26

No

Probiotics

Morbidity, mortality, necrotizing enterocolitis, late-onset sepsis, time until full enteral feeding

RCTs

B

Yes

No

Wei (2018); China [49]

Macular degeneration

Not reported

22 (2482)

11

Yes

Lutein; antioxidant complex, zinc-monocysteine, and a-lipoic acid

Best-corrected visual acuity change in GA area

RCTs

F

Yes

Yes

Xie (2018); China [55]

Kashin-Beck disease

Public

15 (2931)

7

No

Sodium selenite, selenium salt, sodium selenite with vitamin C, sodium selenite with vitamin E, selenium-enriched yeast, vitamin C

Effectiveness of selenium supplementation for the treatment of Kashin-Beck disease

RCTs

F

Yes

Yes

Zhang (2018); China [46]

Stable angina

Public

43 (4458)

5

Yes

Danhong, Danshen, salvianolate, compound Danshen

Clinical improvement rate

RCTs

B

Yes

No

Zhang (2018); China [107]

Gastric cancer

Public

26 (2154)

10

No

Aidi injection, Astragalus polysaccharide injection, capecitabine, China Biology Medicine disc, Compound Kushen injection, Disodium cantharidinate and vitamin B6 injection, Elemene injection, Huachansu injection, Javanica oil emulsion injection, Kangai injection, Lentinan injection, Shenfu injection, Shenmai injection, Shenqifuzheng injection, Xiaoaiping injection

Clinical effectiveness rate, performance status, ADRs

RCTs

B

No

Yes

Zhu (2018); China [42]

Osteoarthritis (hip, knee)

Public

61 (22,128)

6

Yes

Glucosamine, chondroitin

Pain intensity, function improvement and stiffness score, safety

RCTs

B

Yes

Yes

Kasatpibal (2017); Thailand [77]

Post-operative complications

Public

31 (2952)

7

Yes

Probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics

SSI, UTI, pneumonia, sepsis, duration of antibiotic administration, length of hospital stay, mortality

RCTs

B

Yes

Yes

Amaral (2017); Brazil [87]

Prevention of respiratory tract infection

Public

22 (6603)

11

No

Lactobacillus casei rhamnosus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus T cell-1, Lactobacillus reuteri, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716, Streptococcus salivarius K12, Bacillus clausii

Respiratory tract infections, adverse effects

RCTs

B

Yes

Yes

Cai (2017); China [116]

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea

No funding

51 (9569)

9

No

Probiotics

Diarrhea, treatment tolerability and efficacy, C difficile infection rate, fever rate, dehydration rate

RCTs

F

Yes

Yes

Catala´-Lopez (2017); Canada [80]

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Public

190 (26,114)

12

Yes

Ginkgo biloba, ginseng, pine bark extract, homeopathy, hypercium, iron, zinc, L-carcitine, minerals, amino acids, PUFA, omega3/6, herbal therapy

Treatment response, all-cause discontinuation, discontinuation due to adverse events, serious adverse events, specific adverse events

RCTs

B

Yes

No

Feng (2017); China [65]

Helicobacter pylori infection

Not reported

29 (3122)

12

No

Probiotics

H. pylori eradication rates, total side effects

RCTs

F

No

Yes

Feng (2017); China [67]

Crohn’s disease recurrence

Public

14 (877)

12

Yes

Tripterygium wilfordii, Lactobacillus GG

Endoscopic recurrence

RCTs

B

Yes

Yes

Fu (2017); China [66]

Neurotoxicity from chemotherapy

Public

23 (2869)

5

Yes

Calcium, magnesium, vitamin E

Overall neurotoxicity, severe neurotoxicity

RCTs

B

Yes

Yes

Haggman-Henrikson (2017); Sweden [63]

Chronic oro-facial pain

No funding

13 (1243)

6

Yes

Ping On

Pain intensity

RCTs

F

No

Yes

Han (2017); China [102]

Post-stroke recovery

Not reported

28 (2780)

7

No

Chinese Herbal Medicine: Dengzhan Shengmai, Gegensu, Huangqi plus Luotai, Huatuo Zaizao, MLC601 (NeuroAiD), Naoan, Naomaitai, Shuxuetong, Tongxinluo, Xueshuantong, Xixiantongshuan, Buchang Naoxintong, Chuanqiongqin, Mailuoning, Peiyuantongnao, Shenmai, Xuesaitong, Buchang Naoxintong plus Danhong Injection

Treatment response, neurological functional defect scores, Barthel index, Fugl–Meyer assessment, functional independence measure

RCTs

F

Yes

Yes

Ho (2017); Hong Kong [64]

Functional dyspepsia

Not reported

22 (1727)

11

Yes

Manual acupuncture, electroacupuncture

Alleviation of dyspeptic symptoms, % of patients achieving satisfactory alleviation of global or individual symptoms

SRs

F

Yes

Yes

Khaing (2017); Thailand [62]

Preeclampsia and gestational hypertension

No funding

27 (10,625)

4

No

Calcium, Vitamin D

Preeclampsia, eclampsia, gestational hypertension or pregnancy induced hypertension

RCTs

F

Yes

Yes

Li (2017); China [72]

Myofascial pain syndrome

Public

33 (1692)

10

Yes

Dry needling and muscle energy technique, scraping+warming acupuncture+moxibustion (SWAM), eletcro-acupuncture, manual acupuncture, electrospoon needle-cupping, dry needling and stretching, mini scalpel needle, multiple deep intramuscular stimulation therapy, sparrow-pecking, Myofascial trigger therapy, physical therapy

Pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, adverse events

RCTs

F

Yes

Yes

Ma (2017); China [113]

Gastrointestinal cancer

Public

23 (10,684)

9

Yes

Polysaccharide K

Overall survival, disease-free survival

RCTs

F

Yes

Yes

MacPherson (2017); USA [103]

Osteoarthritis (knee)

Public

114 (9709)

22

Yes

Acupuncture, tai chi, balneotherapy, TENS, pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, pulsed electrical stimulation, NMES

Pain

RCTs

B

Yes

Yes

Muñoz FSS (2017); Brazil [106]

Alzheimer's disease

Not reported

27 (4556)

7

No

Antioxidants, B-vitamins, inositol, medium-chain triglyceride, omega-3,polymeric formulas, polypeptide, vitamin D

Behavioral disturbances, cognitive/ functional/ global performance

RCTs

B

Yes

Yes

Sarri (2017); UK [57]

Vasomotor symptoms

Public

47 (8326)

7

Yes

Acupuncture, relaxation, multi-botanicals, valerin root, Chinese herbal medicine, black cohosh

Frequency of vasomotor symptoms at end of treatment, vaginal bleeding, treatment discontinuation

RCTs

B

Yes

Yes

Sekercioglu (2017); Canada [86]

Chronic kidney disease mineral and bone disorder

No funding

26 (6760)

8

Yes

Calcium, iron, calcium/magnesium

Phosphate levels; serum calcium; serum parathyroid hormone

RCTs

B

Yes

Yes

Su (2017); China [79]

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury

Public

150 (31,631)

12

Yes

N-acetylcysteine, vitamin and its analogues

Occurrence of contrast-induced acute kidney injury

RCTs

B

Yes

Yes

van Nooten (2017); Netherlands [84]

Diabetic neuropathy

Private

25 (5870)

6

Yes

Capsaicin 8% patch

% of patients with ≥ 30% and ≥ =50% pain reduction relative to baseline

RCTs

B

Yes

Yes

Wang (2017); China [68]

Helicobacter pylori infection

Public

140 (20,215)

7

No

Probiotics

Rates of eradication, adverse events

RCTs

B

Yes

Yes

Wang (2017); China [85]

Chronic fatigue syndrome

Public

31 (2255)

5

Yes

Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion

Response rate

RCTs

B

Yes

Yes

Wei (2017); China [112]

Prevention of oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (OIPN)

Public

25 (1572)

6

Yes

Huangqi injection, Shenmai injection, Shenfu injection, Buyang Huanwu decoction, Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu decoction

Overall OIPN incidence, severe OIPN incidence

RCTs

B

Yes

Yes

Wen (2017); China [61]

Helicobacter pylori infection

Not reported

17 (1932)

9

No

Probiotics

Eradication rates of H.pylori, side effects

RCTs

F

No

No

Westby (2017); UK [81]

Pressure ulcers

Public

51 (2947)

21

Yes

Honey-based wound dressing

Complete wound healing, time to complete healing

RCTs

B

Yes

Yes

Woods (2017); UK [78]

Osteoarthritis (knee)

Public

88 (7507)

18

Yes

Manual therapy, acupuncture, TENS, Balneotherapy, NMES, Tai Chi, PEMF, inferential therapy

Quality of life

RCTs

B

Yes

No

Yang (2017); China [69]

Blood pressure reduction

Public

19 (1459)

7

Yes

Qigong, tai chi, yoga

Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure

RCTs

B

Yes

Yes

Yeh (2017); China [59]

Psoriasis

Not reported

10 (1060)

6

Yes

Catgut embedding, acupuncture, acupressure, bloodletting

Treatment response, adverse events

RCTs

B

Yes

No

Yu (2017); China [83]

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)

No funding

27 (4649)

4

Yes

Probiotics, arginine, lactoferrin, probiotics + fructo-oligosaccharides

NEC, all-cause mortality, sepsis, NEC-related mortality, hospitalization days

RCTs

B

No

Yes

Zhang (2017); China [105]

Gastric cancer

Public

81 (5978)

10

Yes

Chinese herbs injections

Treatment response, performance status, ADRs

RCTs

B

No

Yes

Zhang (2017); China [82]

Pancreatic cancer

Public

22 (1329)

8

Yes

Disodium cantharidinate and vitamin B6, Huanchansu, Javanica oil emulsion injection, Kangai, Kanglaite, Shenqifuzheng

Clinical effectiveness rate, performance status, nausea and vomiting, ADRs

RCTs

B

No

Yes

Zhang (2017); China [88]

Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome

No funding

16 (905)

8

Yes

Chonroitin sulfate

Global response assessment, pain, urinary frequency, urinary urgency, bladder capacity restoration

RCTs

F

Yes

Yes

Chung (2016); Hong Kong [92]

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

not reported

11 (925)

4

Yes

Chinese herbal medicine

Change in FEV1, St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire, 6-Minute Walk Test

RCTs

F

Yes

Yes

Dong (2016); Germany [96]

Lateral epicondylalgia

Not reported

27 (1913)

13

Yes

Peppering technique; prolotherapy

Change in pain scores

RCTs

B

Yes

Yes

Dulai (2016); USA [89]

Prevention of advanced metachronous neoplasia

No funding

15 (12,234)

10

Yes

Calcium, vitamin D, folic acid

Prevention of advanced metachronous neoplasia within 3-5 years of index colonoscopy, prevention of any metachronous neoplasia, risk of serious adverse events

RCTs

B

Yes

Yes

Howarth (2016); USA [104]

Exposure to domestic violence

Public

13 (1345)

11

Yes

Play therapy

child behavior disorders, child behavior symptoms, children’s mental health, depression, psychiatric symptoms, anxiety, self-harm, PTSD, school attendance or school functioning, children’s self-esteem, children’s happiness/social relationships, child quality of life, intervention of social services

RCTs

B

No

No

Huang (2016); China [74]

Acute promyelocytic leukemia

Public

21 (1666)

9

Yes

All-trans retinoic acid, realgar-Indigo naturalis formula

Event-free survival, complete remission, early death, remission time, hepatic toxicity, differentiation syndrome

RCTs

F

Yes

Yes

Linde (2016); Germany [108]

Depression

Public

100 (21,298)

22

Yes

St John’s Wort

Response to treatment (≥ 50% score reduction on a depression symptom severity scale)

RCTs

F

yes

no

Morrell (2016); UK [76]

Post-natal depression

Public

44 (NR)

6

Yes

Calcium, DHA, selenium

Maternal depression, anxiety, well-being

RCTs and SRs

B

No

Yes

Palmer (2016); Italy [109]

Chronic kidney disease

No funding

77 (12,562)

3

Yes

Calcium, iron

All-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, adverse events, serum phosphorus and calcium levels, coronary artery calcification

RCTs

F

Yes

Yes

Pompoli (2016); Italy [93]

Panic disorder

Public

54 (3021)

6

Yes

Psychodynamic therapies, physical therapy (e.g. breathing retraining, progressive muscle relaxation, applied relaxation)

Short-term remission of panic disorder (with or without agoraphobia), short-term response of panic disorder, dropouts for any reason

RCTs

B

Yes

Yes

Qin (2016); China [73]

Chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome

Not reported

12 (1203)

7

Yes

Acupuncture, sham acupuncture, electroacupuncture

Change in total NIH-CPSI, changes in NIH-CPSI subscales, adverse events due to treatments

RCTs

B

Yes

Yes

Rochwerg (2016); Canada [94]

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

No funding

19 (5694)

11

Yes

N-acetylcysteine (NAC)

Mortality, serious adverse events

RCTs

B

Yes

Yes

Sawangjit (2016); Malaysia [90]

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Not reported

44 (3802)

11

Yes

Vitamin E and C

Fibrosis, death overall or related to liver and cardiovascular disease, cirrhosis, ballooning degeneration, steatosis, lobular inflammation, and NAS, mean changes in NAS, ballooning, steatosis, and lobular inflammation, adverse effects

RCTs

B

Yes

Yes

Skapinakis. P (2016); UK [75]

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Public

54 (288)

17

Yes

St John’s Wort

Yale–Brown obsessive-compulsive scale (YBOCS)

RCTs

B

Yes

Yes

Wang (2016); China [91]

Rheumatoid arthritis

Public

22 (5255)

7

Yes

Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F

Treatment response (ACR 20, 50, or 70), patient evaluation of pain, blood acute-phase reactants, withdrawal of patients due to drug-emergent adverse events

RCTs

F

Yes

Yes

Wu (2016); Hong Kong [95]

Non-small cell lung cancer

Not reported

61 (4247)

12

Yes

Shen-qi-fu-zheng injection, Kang-ai injection, Compound ku-shen injection, Kang-la-te injection, Xiao-ai-ping injection, Zi-jin-long tablet, Shen-fu injection, Yi-fei-bai-du decoction, Fei-liu-ping extract, Hai-shen-su, extract from Tegillarca granosa, Fu-zheng-jiedu decoction

Quality of life

RCTs

F

No

Yes

Dong (2015); China [99]

Stroke prevention

Public

17 (86,393)

8

No

Folic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, niacin

Risk of stroke, cerebral infarction, and cerebral hemorrhage

RCTs

B

Yes

No

Dong (2015); China and Germany [43]

Shoulder impingement syndrome

No funding

33 (2300)

4

Yes

Acupuncture, kinesio taping therapy, pulsed electromagnetic field therapy

Pain score

RCTs

B

Yes

Yes

Gartlehner (2015); USA [60]

Major depressive disorder

Public

127 (NR)

10

Yes

Omega-3 fatty acids, Acupuncture, S-adenosyl methionine, St. John’s wort

Response to treatment, remission, speed of response, speed of remission, relapse, quality of life, functional capacity, reduction of suicidal ideas or behaviors, reduction of hospitalization, overall adverse events, withdrawals due to adverse events, serious adverse events, specific adverse events

RCTs

F

No

No

Grant (2015); USA [48]

Menopausal symptoms

Public

283 (NR)

8

Yes

Black cohosh, ginseng, isoflavones

Vasomotor symptoms, quality of life, psychological, sexual function, sleep disturbance

RCTs

B

Yes

Yes

Kongtharvonskul (2015); Thailand [101]

Osteoarthritis (knee)

No funding

31 (NR)

4

Yes

Glucosamine

Pain, total and subWOMAC scores (pain, stiffness, and function), Lequesne algofunctional index, joint space width, adverse events

RCTs

F

No

No

Lehert (2015); USA [98]

Cognitive aging

Public

24 (NR)

11

Yes

B-Vitamins, Tai Chi, Vitamin D, Yoga, Omega-3, soy isoflavones

Global cognition, episodic memory

RCTs

F

Unclear

No

Lewis (2015); UK [38]

Sciatica

Public

122 (NR)

21

Yes

Manipulation, acupuncture, passive physical therapy, radiofrequency treatment

Global effect, pain intensity

RCTs; NRS

B

No

Yes

Linde (2015); Germany [39]

Depressive disorders

Public

66 (15,161)

9

Yes

St. John's Wort

Efficacy; discontinuation due to adverse effects

RCTs

B

Yes

No

Loveman (2015); UK [100]

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Public

11 (3294)

6

Yes

N-acetylcysteine (NAC, Triple NAC, and inhaled NAC)

Decline in forced vital capacity

RCTs

B

Yes

No

Reinecke (2015); Germany [110]

Chronic pain

Public

46 (10,742)

5

Yes

Physiotherapy (hydrotherapy, osteopathic intervention vs. sham, active non-invasive interactive neurostimulation, balneotherapy, Qigong, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, reflexology, electromagnetic field therapy, hypnosis

Pain, analgesic effects, adverse events

RCTs

F

No

No

Steenhuis (2015); Netherlands [97]

Psychotic disorders

Public

10 (576)

5

Yes

Music therapy, yoga therapy

Depressive symptoms

RCTs

F

Yes

No

Zeng (2015); China [40]

Osteoarthritis (knee)

Public

20 (995)

7

no

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, interferential current, pulsed electrical stimulation, non-invasive interactive neurostimulation

Pain intensity, change in pain score

RCTs

B

Yes

Yes

Zhu (2015); China [41]

Hepatic encephalopathy

Public

20 (1007)

6

Yes

L-ornithine-L-aspartate, branched chain amino acids

Clinical improvement, blood ammonia concentration, mental status, adverse effects

RCTs

B

Yes

Yes

Gerger (2014); Switzerland [35]

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Public

66 (4190)

8

No

EMDR and stress management (includes some forms of relaxation and biofeedback)

Severity of PTSD symptoms

RCTs

B

Yes

No

Griebeler (2014); USA [36]

Diabetic neuropathy

Public

65 (12,632)

10

Yes

Topical capsaicin

Pain relief

RCTs

B

Yes

No

Kriston (2014); Germany [34]

Persistent depressive disorder

Public

45 (11,154)

9

Yes

Acetyl-l carnitine

Treatment response (≥ 50% improvement), acceptability

RCTs

B

Yes

No

Wang (2014); China [37]

Gastric cancer

Not reported

38 (2761)

10

No

Chinese Herb Injections: Aidi injection, Astragalus polysaccharides injection, Cinobufacini injection, Compound matrine injection, Delisheng injection, Ginseng polysugar injection, Kangai injection, Kanglaite injection, Shenqifuzheng injection, Yadanziyouru injection

Karnofsky (KPS) score, overall response rate, nausea, and vomiting, leukopenia

RCTs

B

No

No

Cawston (2013); Germany [32]

Chronic low back pain

Industry

15 (5374)

18

Yes

Glucosamine

Treatment efficacy

RCTs

B

No

No

Corbett (2013); UK [114]

Osteoarthritis (knee)

Public

114 (9709)

9

Yes

Acupuncture, balneotherapy, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, pulsed electrical stimulation, pulsed electromagnetic fields, static magnets, Tai Chi, TENS

Pain

RCTs

B

Yes

Yes

Nüesch (2013); Switzerland [31]

Fibromyalgia syndrome

Public

102 (14,982)

11

Yes

Balneotherapy

Pain, quality of life

RCTs

B

Yes

Yes

Snedecor (2013); USA [33]

Painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Industry

58 (11,883)

32

Yes

Capsaicin, alpha-lipoic acid, sativex

Pain reduction

RCTs

B

Yes

Yes

Thakkinstian (2012); Unclear [30]

Chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome

Not reported

19 (1669)

5

Yes

Phytotherapy (not specified)

Total symptom scores, pain scores, voiding score, quality of life, treatment response

RCTs

F

No

No

Anothaisintawee (2011); Thailand [29]

Chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome

Public

23 (2315)

8

Yes

Phytotherapy (not specified)

Total symptom scores, pain score, voiding score, QoL score,

RCTs

F

No

No

Imamura (2010); UK [27]

Stress urinary incontinence

Public

55 (6608)

14

Yes

Electrical stimulation

Cure rate, improvement rate

RCTs and quasi-RCTs

B

No

Yes

Wandel (2010); Switzerland [28]

Osteoarthritis (hip, knee)

Public

10 (3803)

4

No

Chondroitin and glucosamine

Pain

RCTs

B

Yes

No

  1. Abbreviations: ADE adverse drug event, ADR adverse drug reaction, IFC interferential current, NIN non-invasive interactive neurostimulation, NMES neuromuscular electrical stimulation, NRS non-randomized study, PEMF pulsed electromagnetic fields, PES pulsed electrical stimulation, QoL quality of life, TENS transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
  2. *where a review included multiple analyses of varying size, the minimum number of interventions compared, studies included and patients included is provided