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. 2015 Jun 15;2015(6):CD007402. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007402.pub3

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