Table 1 Predefined search strategy used for OVID databases.
| Phase 1 | Phase 2 | Phase 3 |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Tend$.mp. | 15. randomized controlled trial.pt. | 24. clinical trial.pt. |
| 2. Soft Tissue injuries/ | 16. controlled clinical trial.pt. | 25. exp Clinical Trials/ |
| 3. Tendon Injuries/ | 17. Randomized Controlled Trials/ | 26. (clinic adj25 trial$).tw. |
| 4. Achill$.mp. | 18. Random Allocation/ | 27. ((singl$ or doubl$ or trebl$ or tripl$) adj (mask$ or blind$)).tw. |
| 5. Patell$.mp. | 19. Double‐Blind Method/ | 28. Placebos/ |
| 6. epicondyl$.mp. | 20. Single‐Blind Method/ | 29. placebo$.tw. |
| 7. tennis elbow.mp. | 21. or/15–20 | 30. random$.tw. |
| 8. rotator cuff.mp. | 22. Animal/ not Human/ | 31. Research Design/ |
| 9. (jumper$ adj knee).mp. | 23. 21 not 22 | 32. (latin adj square).tw. |
| 10. or/1–9 | 33. or/24–32 | |
| 11. exercise programme.mp | 34. 33 not 22 | |
| 12. eccentric$.mp. | 35. 34 not 23 | |
| 13. or/11–12 | 36. and/14,23 | |
| 14. and/10,13 | 37. and/14,35 | |
| 38. or/36–37 |