MEDLINE

The optimum search strategy for randomised trials described by Dickersin et al (Dickersin 1994*) was used with the following specific search terms: 1. Fractures, stress/ all subheadings (MESH) 2. Athletic injuries/all subheadings (MESH) 3. Repetition strain injury/all subheadings (MESH) 4. #1 or #2 or #3 5. fractur* 6. (insufficiency or fatigue or overuse or athletic) near #5 7. #4 or #6 8. explode Arm injuries/all subheadings (MESH) 9.#7 not #8 10. Risk factors/all subheadings (MESH) 11. Military personnel/all subheadings (MESH) 12. #9 and #10 13. #9 and #11 14. #9 and Cochrane optimal strategy. The output of the search was #12 to #14. * (Dickersin K, Scherer R, Lefebvre C. Identifying relevant studies for systematic reviews. BMJ 1994;309:1286‐91.)