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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)

1,956 questions in 143 reviews · Musculoskeletal

current versions
No studies 555 · 28.4%Ungraded 107 · 5.5%Very low 255 · 13%Low 555 · 28.4%Moderate 357 · 18.3%High 127 · 6.5%

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
Flexibility exercise training vs aerobic exercise training
Withdrawals All‐cause attrition · adults with fibromyalgia
Flexibility exercise training for adults with fibromyalgia (2019) · Cochrane
RR 0.97 [0.61, 1.55]5 studies · 301 participantsUngraded
Flexibility exercise training vs aerobic exercise training
Adverse events—increase in symptoms, injuries, or serious adverse events · adults with fibromyalgia
Flexibility exercise training for adults with fibromyalgia (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRVery low
Surgery vs non‐operative treatment
Pain (VAS) from 0 to 10, 0 is no pain · people with full‐thickness rotator cuff tears
Surgery for rotator cuff tears (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 258 participantsModerate
Surgery vs non‐operative treatment
Functional outcome (Constant score) from 0 to 100, 100 is best) · people with full‐thickness rotator cuff tears
Surgery for rotator cuff tears (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 269 participantsLow
Surgery vs non‐operative treatment
Participant‐rated global assessment of treatment success at 12 months · people with full‐thickness rotator cuff tears
Surgery for rotator cuff tears (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.08 [0.96, 1.22]1 study · 110 participantsLow
Surgery vs non‐operative treatment
Health‐related quality of life (SF‐36 mental component) from 0‐100; 100 is best) · people with full‐thickness rotator cuff tears
Surgery for rotator cuff tears (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 103 participantsLow
Surgery vs non‐operative treatment
Adverse events · people with full‐thickness rotator cuff tears
Surgery for rotator cuff tears (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 103 participantsVery low
Surgery vs non‐operative treatment
Serious adverse events · people with full‐thickness rotator cuff tears
Surgery for rotator cuff tears (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRVery low
Exercise vs no exercise
Hand function ‐ short term (less than 3 months) Grip function test scale of 0 to 80 points (higher score indicates better grip function) · rheumatoid arthritis of the hand
Exercise for rheumatoid arthritis of the hand (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 24 participantsVery low
Exercise vs no exercise
Hand impairment ‐ power grip strength of both hands (kg) ‐ long term (12 months and beyond) · rheumatoid arthritis of the hand
Exercise for rheumatoid arthritis of the hand (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 355 participantsHigh
Exercise vs no exercise
Hand impairment ‐ pinch grip strength (kg) ‐ left hand ‐ short term (less than 3 months) · rheumatoid arthritis of the hand
Exercise for rheumatoid arthritis of the hand (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 120 participantsVery low
Exercise vs no exercise
Hand impairment ‐ pinch grip strength (kg) ‐ right hand ‐ short term (less than 3 months) · rheumatoid arthritis of the hand
Exercise for rheumatoid arthritis of the hand (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 120 participantsVery low
Exercise vs no exercise
Hand impairment ‐ pinch grip strength of both hands (kg) ‐ medium term (3 to 11 months) · rheumatoid arthritis of the hand
Exercise for rheumatoid arthritis of the hand (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 396 participantsHigh
Exercise vs no exercise
Hand impairment ‐ pinch grip strength of both hands (kg) ‐ long term (12 months and beyond) · rheumatoid arthritis of the hand
Exercise for rheumatoid arthritis of the hand (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 351 participantsHigh
Exercise vs no exercise
ACR50 response · rheumatoid arthritis of the hand
Exercise for rheumatoid arthritis of the hand (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted0 studies · 0 participantsUngraded
Exercise vs no exercise
Participant adherence ‐ medium term (3 to 11 months) · rheumatoid arthritis of the hand
Exercise for rheumatoid arthritis of the hand (2018) · Cochrane
RR 1.31 [1.15, 1.48]1 study · 438 participantsModerate
Exercise vs no exercise
Participant adherence ‐ long term (12 months and beyond) · rheumatoid arthritis of the hand
Exercise for rheumatoid arthritis of the hand (2018) · Cochrane
RR 1.09 [0.93, 1.28]1 study · 422 participantsModerate
Exercise vs no exercise
Adverse events due to exercise · rheumatoid arthritis of the hand
Exercise for rheumatoid arthritis of the hand (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 490 participantsModerate
Exercise vs no exercise
Hand function ‐ medium term (3 to 11 months) Overall hand function subscale of the Michigan Hand Questionnaire, 0 to 100 (higher scores mean better hand function) · rheumatoid arthritis of the hand
Exercise for rheumatoid arthritis of the hand (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 449 participantsModerate
Exercise vs no exercise
Hand function ‐ long term (12 months and beyond) Overall hand function subscale of the Michigan Hand Questionnaire, 0 to 100 (higher scores mean better hand function) · rheumatoid arthritis of the hand
Exercise for rheumatoid arthritis of the hand (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 438 participantsModerate
Exercise vs no exercise
Pain ‐ short term (less than 3 months) visual analogue scale (0 to 100 mm, higher score means more pain) · rheumatoid arthritis of the hand
Exercise for rheumatoid arthritis of the hand (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 124 participantsVery low
Exercise vs no exercise
Pain ‐ medium term (3 to 11 months) Pain subscale of Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (0 to 100 points, higher score means more pain) · rheumatoid arthritis of the hand
Exercise for rheumatoid arthritis of the hand (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 445 participantsModerate
Exercise vs no exercise
Pain ‐ long term (12 months and beyond) Pain subscale of Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (0 to 100 points, higher score means more pain) · rheumatoid arthritis of the hand
Exercise for rheumatoid arthritis of the hand (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 437 participantsModerate
Exercise vs no exercise
Hand impairment ‐ power grip strength (kg) ‐ left hand ‐ short term (less than 3 months) · rheumatoid arthritis of the hand
Exercise for rheumatoid arthritis of the hand (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 141 participantsVery low
Exercise vs no exercise
Hand impairment ‐ power grip strength (kg) ‐ right hand ‐ short term (less than 3 months) · rheumatoid arthritis of the hand
Exercise for rheumatoid arthritis of the hand (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 141 participantsVery low
Exercise vs no exercise
Hand impairment ‐ power grip strength of both hands (kg) ‐ medium term (3 to 11 months) · rheumatoid arthritis of the hand
Exercise for rheumatoid arthritis of the hand (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 400 participantsHigh
Intervention NR
Pain Scale from: 0 to 10, 0 is no pain. · people with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture
Percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted5 studies · 535 participantsHigh
Intervention NR
Disability (Roland‐Morris Disability Questionnaire) Scale from: 0 to 23; 0 is no disability. · people with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture
Percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted4 studies · 472 participantsHigh
Intervention NR
Disease‐specific quality of Life (QUALEFFO) Scale from: 0 to 100; 0 is best. · people with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture
Percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 351 participantsHigh
Intervention NR
Overall quality of Life (EQ5D) Scale from: 0 to 1; 1 is best. · people with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture
Percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 285 participantsModerate
Intervention NR
Participant global assessment of success (People perceived their pain as better) · people with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture
Percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (2018) · Cochrane
RR 1.4 [0.67, 2.95]1 study · 78 participantsModerate
Intervention NR
Incident symptomatic vertebral fractures · people with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture
Percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (2018) · Cochrane
RR 1.29 [0.46, 3.62]6 studies · 840 participantsLow
Intervention NR
Other serious adverse events · people with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture
Percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.61 [0.33, 1.1]5 studies · 821 participantsLow
Open surgery vs steroid injection
Resolution of symptoms (after one or more injections) · patients with trigger finger
Surgery for trigger finger (2018) · Cochrane
RR 1.48 [0.79, 2.76]2 studies · 270 participantsVery low
Percutaneous surgery vs steroid injection
Function Not measured · patients with trigger finger
Surgery for trigger finger (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Percutaneous surgery vs steroid injection
Participant global assessment of success Not measured · patients with trigger finger
Surgery for trigger finger (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Percutaneous surgery vs steroid injection
Recurrence · patients with trigger finger
Surgery for trigger finger (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.57 [0.21, 1.59]5 studies · 392 participantsVery low
Percutaneous surgery vs steroid injection
Adverse events (infection, partial loss of movement, tendon or −0 injury, dysaesthesia, and skin atrophy or hypopigmentation) · patients with trigger finger
Surgery for trigger finger (2018) · Cochrane
RR 1.58 [0.91, 2.75]5 studies · 392 participantsVery low
Percutaneous surgery vs steroid injection
Neurovascular injury · patients with trigger finger
Surgery for trigger finger (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.35 [0.04, 3.29]2 studies · 191 participantsLow
Open surgery vs steroid injection plus hyaluronic acid injection guided by ultrasound
Resolution of symptoms · patients with trigger finger
Surgery for trigger finger (2018) · Cochrane
RR 1.35 [0.98, 1.85]1 study · 30 participantsVery low
Open surgery vs steroid injection plus hyaluronic acid injection guided by ultrasound
Pain (short‐term) Not measured · patients with trigger finger
Surgery for trigger finger (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Open surgery vs steroid injection plus hyaluronic acid injection guided by ultrasound
Function Not measured · patients with trigger finger
Surgery for trigger finger (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Open surgery vs steroid injection plus hyaluronic acid injection guided by ultrasound
Participant global assessment of success Not measured · patients with trigger finger
Surgery for trigger finger (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Open surgery vs steroid injection plus hyaluronic acid injection guided by ultrasound
Recurrence · patients with trigger finger
Surgery for trigger finger (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.14 [0.01, 2.55]1 study · 30 participantsVery low
Open surgery vs steroid injection
Pain Proportion with pain on the palm of the hand · patients with trigger finger
Surgery for trigger finger (2018) · Cochrane
RR 3.69 [1.99, 6.85]1 study · 105 participantsLow
Open surgery vs steroid injection plus hyaluronic acid injection guided by ultrasound
Adverse events (partial loss of movement, algodystrophic syndrome) · patients with trigger finger
Surgery for trigger finger (2018) · Cochrane
RR 3 [0.35, 25.68]1 study · 30 participantsVery low
Open surgery vs steroid injection plus hyaluronic acid injection guided by ultrasound
Neurovascular injury Not measured · patients with trigger finger
Surgery for trigger finger (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Percutaneous surgery plus steroid injection vs steroid injection
Resolution of symptoms (after 1 or more injections) · patients with trigger finger
Surgery for trigger finger (2018) · Cochrane
RR 1.51 [1.21, 1.9]1 study · 127 participantsVery low
Percutaneous surgery plus steroid injection vs steroid injection
Pain (short‐term) Not measured · patients with trigger finger
Surgery for trigger finger (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Percutaneous surgery plus steroid injection vs steroid injection
Function Not measured · patients with trigger finger
Surgery for trigger finger (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies