| Methods |
Journals were handsearched cover‐to‐cover. All reports identified were then further assessed and a random sample of all handsearching was also checked. MEDLINE was searched (date not given) for the years 1966‐1990. The title, abstracts and keywords were checked and full papers were obtained for those records thought to be RCTs. |
| Data |
36 journals on pain research (1950‐1990). |
| Comparisons |
Handsearch vs MEDLINE using a refined high yield search strategy. |
| Outcomes |
A total of 4702 RCTs were identified; 4336 RCTs were identified by HS, 2523 RCTs were identified by ES. |
| Notes |
Of those reports found only by HS (2179), 1125 RCTs were abstracts, 959 RCTs were inadequately indexed and the failure to find 95 RCTs by ES could not be explained. The time taken to HS was 623 hours. |
