Pakfetrat 2019.

Study characteristics
Methods	Design: parallel Duration: 11 weeks Assessment: baseline, 3 weeks, 7 weeks, post‐intervention Country: Iran
Participants	Pain condition: burning mouth syndrome Population: people with burning mouth syndrome Minimum pain intensity: ≥ 5 on 0‐10 VAS Inclusion criteria Daily deep bilateral burning sensation in the mouth for at least 4‐6 months, persistent or increased burning intensity throughout the day Pain intensity ≥ 5 on 0‐10 VAS Exclusion criteria Severe physical and mental health comorbidities Total participants randomised: 47 Age in years (mean): 50.9 Gender: 32/47 were female Pain duration in years (mean, SD): NR
Interventions	Crocin (saffron) 30 mg n = 26 Plant extract Fixed dose Identical appearance to citalopram Citalopram 20 mg n = 21 SSRI Fixed dose
Outcomes	Pain intensity Mood Withdrawal
Missing data methods	No participants withdrew
Funding source	Non‐pharmaceutical: "We are thankful to the Vice Chancellor of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences for providing financial support for this study".
Conflicts of interest	"The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest in this research."
Notes
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Unclear risk	Randomisation methods not specified
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	Unclear risk	Allocation methods not specified
Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias) All outcomes	Unclear risk	Mention similar package and pill appearance but citalopram is being taken once daily and saffron twice daily so it's not completely identical in dosing schedule.
Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) All outcomes	Unclear risk	Blinding of participants who completed self reported measures is unclear
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes	Low risk	No participants withdrew
Selective reporting (reporting bias)	Unclear risk	Could not access trial registration
Other bias	Low risk	No other sources of bias were identified