Methods	RCT, DB, parallel groups Gel applied to affected area 3 or 4 times daily with no occlusion for up to 14 days Assessed at baseline, 7, 14 days
Participants	Muscle pain and/or inflammation in neck, shoulder, back, chest and upper and lower extremities N = 271 (247 analysed) M 97, F 149 Age <20 to 89 yrs Baseline pain mostly mild to mod Exclusions: 24 due to protocol violations, loss to follow up
Interventions	Piroxicam gel 0.5%, 3-4 × 1 g daily, n = 92 Indomethacin gel 1%, 3-4 × 1 g daily, n = 90 Placebo gel, n = 89 No concomitant oral or topical analgesic or anti-inflammatory medication allowed. No physical therapy initiated after start of study
Outcomes	PGE: 5 point scale (responder = “better” or “much better”) Physician rated Improvement: 5 point scale (responder = “marked Improvement”) Adverse events Withdrawals
Notes	Oxford Quality Score: R1, DB2, W1. Total=4/5 Oxford Validity Score: 15/16
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors’ judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Unclear risk	Not described
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	Low risk	Cartons numbered randomly and numbers held in a key code until study completion
Blinding (performance bias and detection bias) All outcomes	Low risk	“identical tubes” packed in numbered carton. Gel bases slightly different in appearance, so dispensing physician did not have access to them