Table 2 The quality of evidence

WOMAC

The mean WOMAC in the intervention groups was 0.09 standard deviations higher (0.1 lower to 0.28 higher)

1429 (8 studies)

\(\oplus \oplus\)OO low^1,2,3

SMD 0.09 (−0.1 to 0.28)

VAS

The mean vas in the intervention groups was 0.19 standard deviations lower (0.65 lower to 0.27 higher)

1367 (8 studies)

\(\oplus \oplus\)OO low^1,2,3

SMD −0.19 (−0.65 to 0.27)

Global efficacy judgements by the patients

Study population

OR 1.97 (1.18 to 3.29)

766 (4 studies)

\(\oplus \oplus\)OO low^3,4,5

747 per 1000

853 per 1000 (777 to 907)

Moderate

792 per 1000

882 per 1000 (818 to 926)

Global efficacy judgements by the investigator

Study population

OR 2.18 (0.99 to 4.81)

766 (4 studies)

\(\oplus \oplus\)OO low^2,3,4

742 per 1000

862 per 1000 (740 to 932)

Moderate

783 per 1000

887 per 1000 (781 to 946)

Safety

Study population

OR 0.83 (0.57 to 1.21)

1222 (10 studies)

\(\oplus\)OOO very low^1,3,5

290 per 1000

253 per 1000 (189 to 331)

Moderate

184 per 1000

158 per 1000 (114 to 214)