Methods	Randomised, double blind, placebo controlled, partial cross-over. Duration 10 days (2 5-day periods). Not obviously enriched Open follow-up, range 2 weeks to 36 months
Participants	Trigeminal neuralgia N = 30. PHN, n = 6, other chronic neuralgia, n = 6. 36 of 42 participants studied double blind (24 of 32 with TN) Age range 36 to 83 (mean 52) years, Female 66%
Interventions	Carbamazepine dose titration 400 mg to 1g daily Placebo
Outcomes	Complete or very good pain response Withdrawals Adverse events
Notes	Oxford Quality Score: R = 1, DB = 2, W = 1, Total = 4 Geigy sponsored
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors’ judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Unclear risk	‘which were randomised’
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	Unclear risk	No statement
Blinding (performance bias and detection bias) Active and controlled appeared similar	Low risk	‘a double bind technique …consisted of identical tablets’
Duration	High risk	5 day treatment period
Outcome	Low risk	Complete or very good pain response is equivalent to ≥50% pain relief
Incomple outcome assessment	Unclear risk	Not stated
Size	High risk	groups size below 50