Ăkermark 1990.

Methods	R, DB (double dummy), PC, AC, parallel groups Spray applied to affected area, and capsules taken 3 times daily for 2 weeks Assessment at baseline, 3 or 4, 7, and 14 days
Participants	Superficial overuse sports injuries (symptom onset 7.4 weeks) N = 70 M 44, F 18 (completers) Mean age 30 years Baseline pain on palpation mostly slight to moderate
Interventions	Elmetacin spray (indomethacin 1%), 3 to 5 x 0.5 to 1.5 ml daily + placebo capsules, n = 23 Indomethacin capsules, 3 x 25 mg daily + placebo spray, n = 23 Placebo spray and capsules, n = 24 Rescue medication: paracetamol
Outcomes	No pain on palpation (= responder) Participant improvement: 100 mm VAS (mean data) Adverse events Withdrawals
Notes	Oxford Quality Score: R2, DB2, W1. Total = 5/5
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Low risk	"random number code"
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	Unclear risk	Not described
Blinding (performance bias and detection bias) All outcomes	Low risk	"identical in appearance"
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes	Low risk	Responder analysis, < 5% withdrawals
Size	High risk	< 50 participants per treatment group

AC: active control; BOCF: baseline observation carried forward; DB: double‐blind; DHEP: diclofenac hydroxyethylpyrrolidine, or diclofenac epolamine; F: female; HCl: hydrochloride; hep: heparin; LOCF: last observation carried forward; M: male; N: number of participants in study; n: number of participants in treatment arm; PC: placebo control; PGE: Participant Global Evaluation; PI: pain intensity; R: randomised; VAS: visual analogue scale; W: withdrawals.