Ginsberg 1987.
Methods | RCT, DB, parallel groups Duration 14 days Assessment on days 3, 14 |
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Participants | Acute mechanical low back pain N = 40 |
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Interventions | Methylsalicylate (2.6%), ethylsalicylate (1.8%), glycol salicylate (0.9%), salicylic acid (0.9%), camphor (0.4%), menthol (5.5%), capsicum oleoresin (1.5%) ointment (Rado‐Salil), n = 20 Placebo ointment, n = 20 Frequency of application not stated |
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Outcomes | PI: 100 mm VAS Duration of confinement to bed Muscular reflex contracture 5‐point scale Spine mobility: Schober's index Finger‐floor distance Lumbar extension Patient global assessment: 5‐point scale Use of rescue medication (paracetamol 250 mg tablets) Amount of ointment used Adverse events |
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Notes | Oxford Quality Score: R1, DB2, W0. Total = 3/5 No analgesics, anti‐inflammatories, or physical treatments allowed other than rescue medication (max 45 x 250 mg paracetamol) |
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Risk of bias | ||
Bias | Authors' judgement | Support for judgement |
Random sequence generation (selection bias) | Unclear risk | Method used to generate random sequence not described |
Allocation concealment (selection bias) | Unclear risk | Method not described |
Blinding (performance bias and detection bias) All outcomes | Low risk | "Placebo was identical in appearance" |
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes | Low risk | All participants accounted for |
Size | High risk | < 50 participants per treatment arm |