Machen 2002.

Methods	R, DB, PC, parallel groups Gel gently ("minimal rub", not vigorously) massaged into skin over affected site until absorbed 3 times daily until symptoms disappeared or for maximum of 7 days Assessment at baseline and once daily using diary cards to 7 days
Participants	Soft tissue injury (< 2 weeks and untreated) N = 85 (81 analysed) M 42, F 39 Mean age 41 years Baseline pain > 50 mm 4 placebo participants lost to follow‐up
Interventions	Ibuprofen gel 5%, x 3 daily, n = 40 Placebo gel, x 3 daily, n = 41 Initiation of other medication or physiotherapy not allowed during study
Outcomes	PGE: 5‐point scale (responder = "marked improvement" or "complete clearance") Adverse events Withdrawals
Notes	Oxford Quality Score: R1, DB2, W1. Total = 4/5
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Unclear risk	Not described
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	Unclear risk	Not described
Blinding (performance bias and detection bias) All outcomes	Low risk	Gels had similar physical characteristics and were supplied in identical tubes
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes	Low risk	< 5% missing participants. Remaining participants included in responder analysis
Size	High risk	< 50 participants per treatment arm