Table 1.

Search strategy used in OVID MEDLINE database

Number	Search terms
1	randomized controlled trial.pt.
2	controlled clinical trial.pt.
3	randomized.ab.
4	randomised.ab.
5	placebo.ab.
6	randomly.ab.
7	trial.ab.
8	groups.ab.
9	1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8
10	exp constipation/
11	functional constipation. ti, ab. {Including Related Terms}
12	idiopathic constipation. ti, ab. {Including Related Terms}
13	slow transit constipation. ti, ab. {Including Related Terms}
14	10 or 11 or 12 or 13
15	Nonpharmacological. ti, ab. {Including Related Terms}
16	non pharmacological. ti, ab. {Including Related Terms}
17	nonpharmacologic. ti, ab. {Including Related Terms}
18	non pharmacologic. ti, ab. {Including Related Terms}
19	dietary fiber. sh, ti, ab. {Including Related Terms}
20	probiotics. sh, ti, ab. {Including Related Terms}
21	behavioral medicine. sh, ti, ab. {Including Related Terms}
22	cognitive therapy. sh, ti, ab. {Including Related Terms}
23	biofeedback. sh, ti, ab. {Including Related Terms}
24	fluid therapy. sh, ti, ab. {Including Related Terms}
25	acupuncture. sh, ti, ab. {Including Related Terms}
26	massage. sh, ti, ab. {Including Related Terms}
27	ear acupuncture. sh, ti, ab. {Including Related Terms}
28	15 or 16 or 17 or 18 or 19 or 20 or 21 or 22 or 23 or 24 or 25 or 26 or 27
29	9 and 14 and 28

This search strategy was modified to be suitable for other electronic databases.