Gap finder

Search review questions

Each row is one question a systematic review asked: who, what, compared with what, and which outcome, with the effect it found and how certain that is. Words match anywhere in the field.

Limit to evidence status or GRADE (optional)

767 questions in 53 reviews · Back and Neck

current versions
No studies 149 · 19.4%Ungraded 41 · 5.3%Very low 168 · 21.9%Low 226 · 29.5%Moderate 156 · 20.3%High 27 · 3.5%

Ungraded means an effect was reported without a GRADE rating; it is not a gap. No studies means the review found nothing to answer the question. The six categories are a display order, not a score.

QuestionEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Summary of findings table 1: Brazilian arnica extract vs placebo
Pain reduction based on Pain VAS instrument 0‐100 scale · patients with back pain
Herbal medicine for low‐back pain (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted20 participantsVery low
Summary of findings table 10: Spiroflor SRL vs CCC
Pain VAS 0‐100 scale · patients with acute and chronic LBP
Herbal medicine for low‐back pain (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted161 participantsVery low
Summary of findings table 2: Topical capsaicin cream or plaster vs placebo
Pain perception according to the Pain VAS scale 0‐10 · patients with chronic LBP or soft tissue pain
Herbal medicine for low‐back pain (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted755 participantsModerate
Summary of findings table 3: Topical capsaicin cream vs placebo
Pain evaluation on a 10 cm linear scale · patients with acute mechanical LBP
Herbal medicine for low‐back pain (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted40 participantsVery low
Summary of findings table 4: H. procumbens vs placebo
Arhus pain index scale 0‐130 · patients with chronic back pain
Herbal medicine for low‐back pain (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted315 participantsLow
Summary of findings table 5: H. procumbens extract vs Vioxx®
Modified Arhus Index Scale 0‐120 · patients with chronic LBP
Herbal medicine for low‐back pain (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted88 participantsVery low
Summary of findings table 6: Willow bark extract vs placebo
Pain VAS Scale 0‐10 · patients with chronic LBP
Herbal medicine for low‐back pain (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted261 participantsModerate
Summary of findings table 7: Willow bark extract vs rofecoxib
Arhus Index Scale 0‐130 Pain VAS Scale 0‐10 · patients with chronic LBP
Herbal medicine for low‐back pain (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted228 participantsVery low
Summary of findings table 8: Comfrey root extract vs placebo
Pain VAS sum (decrease) on active standardized movement (mm) · patients with acute lower and upper back pain
Herbal medicine for low‐back pain (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted120 participantsLow
Summary of findings table 9: Lavender oil acupressure massage and acupoint stimulation vs usual treatment
Pain VAS 0‐10 scale · patients with acute LBP
Herbal medicine for low‐back pain (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted61 participantsVery low
Minimal invasive discectomy vs micro/discectomy
Outcomes# · participants with lumbar disc herniation
Minimally invasive discectomy versus microdiscectomy/open discectomy for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Minimal invasive discectomy vs micro/discectomy
Side effects ‐ surgical site and other infections > 6 months' · participants with lumbar disc herniation
Minimally invasive discectomy versus microdiscectomy/open discectomy for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (2014) · Cochrane
RR 0.23 [0.07, 0.79]6 studies · 931 participantsModerate
Minimal invasive discectomy vs micro/discectomy
Side effects ‐ re‐hospitalisation due to recurrent disc herniation ≥ 6 months' · participants with lumbar disc herniation
Minimally invasive discectomy versus microdiscectomy/open discectomy for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (2014) · Cochrane
RR 1.74 [1.03, 2.94]6 studies · 949 participantsLow
Minimal invasive discectomy vs micro/discectomy
SF‐36 Physical Functioning subclass > 6 months' · participants with lumbar disc herniation
Minimally invasive discectomy versus microdiscectomy/open discectomy for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 385 participantsLow
Minimal invasive discectomy vs micro/discectomy
Mean leg pain intensity on a numerical scale, e.g. 0 (no pain) to 10 (maximum pain) ‐ 1‐year post operative · participants with lumbar disc herniation
Minimally invasive discectomy versus microdiscectomy/open discectomy for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted4 studies · 599 participantsLow
Minimal invasive discectomy vs micro/discectomy
Mean LBP intensity on a numerical scale, e.g. 0 (no pain) to 10 (maximum pain) ‐ 6‐month post operative · participants with lumbar disc herniation
Minimally invasive discectomy versus microdiscectomy/open discectomy for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 577 participantsLow
Minimal invasive discectomy vs micro/discectomy
Mean LBP intensity on a numerical scale, e.g. 0 (no pain) to 10 (maximum pain) ‐ 1‐year post operative · participants with lumbar disc herniation
Minimally invasive discectomy versus microdiscectomy/open discectomy for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 577 participantsVery low
Minimal invasive discectomy vs micro/discectomy
Mean LBP intensity on a numerical scale, e.g. 0 (no pain) to 10 (maximum pain) ‐ 2‐year post operative · participants with lumbar disc herniation
Minimally invasive discectomy versus microdiscectomy/open discectomy for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 577 participantsLow
Minimal invasive discectomy vs micro/discectomy
Persistent motor deficits post operative · participants with lumbar disc herniation
Minimally invasive discectomy versus microdiscectomy/open discectomy for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted4 studies · 126 participantsLow
Minimal invasive discectomy vs micro/discectomy
Persistent sensory deficits post operative · participants with lumbar disc herniation
Minimally invasive discectomy versus microdiscectomy/open discectomy for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted4 studies · 165 participantsLow
Minimal invasive discectomy vs micro/discectomy
Persistent reflex deficit post operative (12 months) · participants with lumbar disc herniation
Minimally invasive discectomy versus microdiscectomy/open discectomy for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 47 participantsLow
Minimal invasive discectomy vs micro/discectomy
Disability (higher ratings mean greater disability). Various instruments were used, e.g. in Oswestry Disability Index > 6 months' post operative 0% (no disability) to 100% (bedridden) · participants with lumbar disc herniation
Minimally invasive discectomy versus microdiscectomy/open discectomy for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (2014) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 312 participantsLow
Traction vs placebo, sham or no treatment
Pain intensity VAS (0‐100 mm). · people with low‐back pain with and without sciatica
Traction for low‐back pain with or without sciatica (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 60 participantsModerate
Physiotherapy with traction vs physiotherapy without traction
Adverse effects · people with low‐back pain with and without sciatica
Traction for low‐back pain with or without sciatica (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Traction vs another type of traction
Pain intensity VAS (0‐100 mm). · people with low‐back pain with and without sciatica
Traction for low‐back pain with or without sciatica (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Traction vs another type of traction
Functional status Oswestry Disability Index or Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire. · people with low‐back pain with and without sciatica
Traction for low‐back pain with or without sciatica (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Traction vs another type of traction
Global improvement · people with low‐back pain with and without sciatica
Traction for low‐back pain with or without sciatica (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Traction vs another type of traction
Return to work · people with low‐back pain with and without sciatica
Traction for low‐back pain with or without sciatica (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Traction vs another type of traction
Adverse effects · people with low‐back pain with and without sciatica
Traction for low‐back pain with or without sciatica (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Traction vs any other treatment
Pain intensity VAS (0‐100 mm). · people with low‐back pain with and without sciatica
Traction for low‐back pain with or without sciatica (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 304 participantsModerate
Traction vs any other treatment
Functional status Oswestry Disability Index or Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire. · people with low‐back pain with and without sciatica
Traction for low‐back pain with or without sciatica (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 350 participantsModerate
Traction vs any other treatment
Global improvement · people with low‐back pain with and without sciatica
Traction for low‐back pain with or without sciatica (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 42 participantsHigh
Traction vs any other treatment
Return to work · people with low‐back pain with and without sciatica
Traction for low‐back pain with or without sciatica (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Traction vs placebo, sham or no treatment
Functional status Oswestry Disability Index or Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire. · people with low‐back pain with and without sciatica
Traction for low‐back pain with or without sciatica (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Traction vs any other treatment
Adverse effects · people with low‐back pain with and without sciatica
Traction for low‐back pain with or without sciatica (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Traction vs placebo, sham or no treatment
Global improvement · people with low‐back pain with and without sciatica
Traction for low‐back pain with or without sciatica (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 81 participantsModerate
Traction vs placebo, sham or no treatment
Return to work · people with low‐back pain with and without sciatica
Traction for low‐back pain with or without sciatica (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Traction vs placebo, sham or no treatment
Adverse effects · people with low‐back pain with and without sciatica
Traction for low‐back pain with or without sciatica (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Physiotherapy with traction vs physiotherapy without traction
Pain intensity VAS (0‐100 mm). · people with low‐back pain with and without sciatica
Traction for low‐back pain with or without sciatica (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 39 participantsHigh
Physiotherapy with traction vs physiotherapy without traction
Functional status Oswestry Disability Index or Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire. · people with low‐back pain with and without sciatica
Traction for low‐back pain with or without sciatica (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 69 participantsHigh
Physiotherapy with traction vs physiotherapy without traction
Global improvement · people with low‐back pain with and without sciatica
Traction for low‐back pain with or without sciatica (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 220 participantsHigh
Physiotherapy with traction vs physiotherapy without traction
Return to work · people with low‐back pain with and without sciatica
Traction for low‐back pain with or without sciatica (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Intervention NR
Pain Intensity ‐ intermediate‐term · Patients with subacute/chronic neck pain with or without radicular symptoms and cervicogenic headache
Electrotherapy for neck pain (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 269 participantsLow
Intervention NR
Satisfaction · Patients with chronic non‐specific neck pain
Electrotherapy for neck pain (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Intervention NR
Quality of life · Patients with chronic non‐specific neck pain
Electrotherapy for neck pain (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Intervention NR
Adverse effects · Patients with chronic non‐specific neck pain
Electrotherapy for neck pain (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Intervention NR
Function intermediate‐term · Patients with subacute/chronic neck pain with or without radicular symptoms and cervicogenic headache
Electrotherapy for neck pain (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 269 participantsLow
Intervention NR
Global Perceived Effect · Patients with subacute/chronic neck pain with or without radicular symptoms and cervicogenic headache
Electrotherapy for neck pain (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Intervention NR
Satisfaction intermediate‐term · Patients with subacute/chronic neck pain with or without radicular symptoms and cervicogenic headache
Electrotherapy for neck pain (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 269 participantsLow
Intervention NR
Quality of life · Patients with subacute/chronic neck pain with or without radicular symptoms and cervicogenic headache
Electrotherapy for neck pain (2013) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies