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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)

1,173 questions in 89 reviews · Neuromuscular

current versions
No studies 302 · 25.7%Ungraded 119 · 10.1%Very low 267 · 22.8%Low 239 · 20.4%Moderate 177 · 15.1%High 69 · 5.9%

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
Laser acupuncture vs placebo/sham laser acupuncture
Overall clinical improvement at short‐term · carpal tunnel syndrome
Acupuncture and related interventions for the treatment of symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome (2018) · Cochrane
RR 1.59 [1.14, 2.22]1 study · 60 participantsLow
Laser acupuncture vs placebo/sham laser acupuncture
Overall clinical improvement at short‐term · carpal tunnel syndrome
Acupuncture and related interventions for the treatment of symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 60 participantsLow
Laser acupuncture vs placebo/sham laser acupuncture
Overall clinical improvement at long‐term · carpal tunnel syndrome
Acupuncture and related interventions for the treatment of symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Laser acupuncture vs placebo/sham laser acupuncture
Adverse events (serious) · carpal tunnel syndrome
Acupuncture and related interventions for the treatment of symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRModerate
Acupuncture vs oral corticosteroid
Overall clinical improvement at short‐term · carpal tunnel syndrome
Acupuncture and related interventions for the treatment of symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 77 participantsVery low
Absorbable vs non‐absorbable sutures
Postoperative pain: early pain (10 days postoperatively) VAS 0 to 10 Verbal reporting scale No pain‐mild pain‐moderate pain‐severe pain (converted to numerical scale (0 to 3, 3 to 6, 6 to 10)
Absorbable versus non‐absorbable sutures for skin closure after carpal tunnel decompression surgery (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 137 participantsVery low
Absorbable vs non‐absorbable sutures
Wound Inflammation 6 to 12 weeks
Absorbable versus non‐absorbable sutures for skin closure after carpal tunnel decompression surgery (2018) · Cochrane
RR 0.93 [0.06, 14.09]1 study · 54 participantsVery low
Absorbable vs non‐absorbable sutures
Postoperative scar satisfaction
Absorbable versus non‐absorbable sutures for skin closure after carpal tunnel decompression surgery (2018) · Cochrane
RR 1.29 [0.97, 1.72]NRVery low
Absorbable vs non‐absorbable sutures
Adverse outcomes including wound infection, scar breakdown or return to theatre
Absorbable versus non‐absorbable sutures for skin closure after carpal tunnel decompression surgery (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Absorbable vs non‐absorbable sutures
Postoperative pain: late pain (6 weeks postoperatively) VAS 0 to 10 Verbal reporting scale No pain‐mild pain‐moderate pain‐severe pain (converted to numerical scale (0 to 3, 3 to 6, 6 to 10)
Absorbable versus non‐absorbable sutures for skin closure after carpal tunnel decompression surgery (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted4 studies · 175 participantsVery low
Absorbable vs non‐absorbable sutures
Postoperative hand function (2 weeks postoperatively) Mean CTS‐FSS score (scale 1 to 5, where higher scores indicate worse function)
Absorbable versus non‐absorbable sutures for skin closure after carpal tunnel decompression surgery (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 36 participantsVery low
Absorbable vs non‐absorbable sutures
Wound Inflammation 6 to 12 weeks
Absorbable versus non‐absorbable sutures for skin closure after carpal tunnel decompression surgery (2018) · Cochrane
RR 2.28 [0.24, 21.91]2 studies · 95 participantsVery low
Absorbable vs non‐absorbable sutures
Postoperative scar satisfaction
Absorbable versus non‐absorbable sutures for skin closure after carpal tunnel decompression surgery (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Absorbable vs non‐absorbable sutures
Adverse outcomes including wound infection, scar breakdown or return to theatre
Absorbable versus non‐absorbable sutures for skin closure after carpal tunnel decompression surgery (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Absorbable vs non‐absorbable sutures
Postoperative pain: early pain (10 days postoperatively) VAS 0 to 10 Verbal reporting scale No pain‐mild pain‐moderate pain‐severe pain (converted to numerical scale (0 to 3, 3 to 6, 6 to 10)
Absorbable versus non‐absorbable sutures for skin closure after carpal tunnel decompression surgery (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 54 participantsVery low
Absorbable vs non‐absorbable sutures
Postoperative pain: late pain (6 weeks postoperatively)
Absorbable versus non‐absorbable sutures for skin closure after carpal tunnel decompression surgery (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Absorbable vs non‐absorbable sutures
Postoperative hand function
Absorbable versus non‐absorbable sutures for skin closure after carpal tunnel decompression surgery (2018) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Plasma exchange vs sham exchange or supportive treatment
Walking with aid at 4 weeks · people with Guillain‐Barré syndrome
Plasma exchange for Guillain‐Barré syndrome (2017) · Cochrane
RR 1.6 [1.19, 2.15]3 studies · 349 participantsModerate
Plasma exchange vs sham exchange or supportive treatment
Dependency on a ventilator at 4 weeks · people with Guillain‐Barré syndrome
Plasma exchange for Guillain‐Barré syndrome (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.53 [0.39, 0.74]5 studies · 623 participantsModerate
Plasma exchange vs sham exchange or supportive treatment
Full muscle strength recovery at 1 year · people with Guillain‐Barré syndrome
Plasma exchange for Guillain‐Barré syndrome (2017) · Cochrane
RR 1.24 [1.07, 1.45]5 studies · 404 participantsModerate
Plasma exchange vs sham exchange or supportive treatment
Relapses at 1 year · people with Guillain‐Barré syndrome
Plasma exchange for Guillain‐Barré syndrome (2017) · Cochrane
RR 2.89 [1.05, 7.93]6 studies · 649 participantsModerate
Plasma exchange vs sham exchange or supportive treatment
Deaths at 1 year · people with Guillain‐Barré syndrome
Plasma exchange for Guillain‐Barré syndrome (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.86 [0.45, 1.65]6 studies · 649 participantsHigh
Plasma exchange vs sham exchange or supportive treatment
Severe infection · people with Guillain‐Barré syndrome
Plasma exchange for Guillain‐Barré syndrome (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.91 [0.73, 1.13]3 studies · 556 participantsModerate
Plasma exchange vs sham exchange or supportive treatment
1Trials were not blinded. · people with Guillain‐Barré syndrome
Plasma exchange for Guillain‐Barré syndrome (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 participantsUngraded
Intervention NR
Change in disability after one year · people with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy
Corticosteroids for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Monthly pulsed high‐dose dexamethasone vs oral prednisolone
Change in impairment: change in grip strength at endpoint4 · people with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy
Corticosteroids for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 38 participantsModerate
Monthly pulsed high‐dose dexamethasone vs oral prednisolone
Sleeplessness · people with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy
Corticosteroids for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.441 study · 40 participantsLow
Monthly pulsed high‐dose dexamethasone vs oral prednisolone
Moon facies · people with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy
Corticosteroids for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (2017) · Cochrane
RR 0.481 study · 40 participantsModerate
Intervention NR
Change in impairment after 12 weeks (excluding those who did not complete the study) NIS score (range 0 to 280) · people with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy
Corticosteroids for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 28 participantsVery low
Intervention NR
Change in impairment after 12 weeks (including those who did not complete the study) NIS (range 0 to 280) · people with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy
Corticosteroids for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 35 participantsVery low
Intervention NR
Number of participants improved after 12 weeks (excluding those who did not complete the study) NIS score (range 0 to 280) · people with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy
Corticosteroids for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (2017) · Cochrane
RR 2.41 study · 28 participantsVery low
Intervention NR
Number of participants improved after 12 weeks (including those who did not complete the study) NIS (range 0 to 280) · people with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy
Corticosteroids for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (2017) · Cochrane
RR 2.021 study · 35 participantsVery low
Monthly pulsed high‐dose dexamethasone vs oral prednisolone
Change in disability after one year · people with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy
Corticosteroids for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Monthly pulsed high‐dose dexamethasone vs oral prednisolone
Remission at 12 months · people with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy
Corticosteroids for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (2017) · Cochrane
RR 1.111 study · 40 participantsModerate
Monthly pulsed high‐dose dexamethasone vs oral prednisolone
≥ 1 point improvement on INCAT disability score at 12 months · people with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy
Corticosteroids for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (2017) · Cochrane
RR 1.241 study · 40 participantsLow
Monthly pulsed high‐dose dexamethasone vs oral prednisolone
Change in impairment: change in MRC sum score at endpoint4 · people with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy
Corticosteroids for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 39 participantsLow
Methotrexate vs placebo
Participants able to reduce corticosteroid or IVIg dose by more than 20% · people with CIDP
Immunomodulatory treatment other than corticosteroids, immunoglobulin and plasma exchange for chronic… (2017) · Cochrane
RR 1.21 [0.4, 3.7]1 study · 59 participantsModerate
Methotrexate vs placebo
Change in disability after 26 or more weeks Overall Neuropathy Limitation Scale. Scale from: 0 to 12. · people with CIDP
Immunomodulatory treatment other than corticosteroids, immunoglobulin and plasma exchange for chronic… (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 59 participantsLow
Methotrexate vs placebo
Change in disability after 26 or more weeks Amsterdam Linear Disability Scale. Scale from: 0 to 100. · people with CIDP
Immunomodulatory treatment other than corticosteroids, immunoglobulin and plasma exchange for chronic… (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 59 participantsLow
Methotrexate vs placebo
Serious adverse events · people with CIDP
Immunomodulatory treatment other than corticosteroids, immunoglobulin and plasma exchange for chronic… (2017) · Cochrane
RR 3.56 [0.39, 32.23]1 study · 59 participantsModerate
Interferon beta‐1a vs placebo
Change in disability after 26 or more weeks · people with CIDP
Immunomodulatory treatment other than corticosteroids, immunoglobulin and plasma exchange for chronic… (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Interferon beta‐1a vs placebo
Participants who completed the study and did not restart IVIg therapy after IVIg withdrawal · people with CIDP
Immunomodulatory treatment other than corticosteroids, immunoglobulin and plasma exchange for chronic… (2017) · Cochrane
RR 1 [0.54, 1.88]1 study · 49 participantsModerate
Interferon beta‐1a vs placebo
Serious adverse events · people with CIDP
Immunomodulatory treatment other than corticosteroids, immunoglobulin and plasma exchange for chronic… (2017) · Cochrane
RR 4.5 [0.25, 80.05]1 study · 67 participantsLow
Tramadol vs placebo
At least 30% reduction in pain · adults with neuropathic pain (any origin)
Tramadol for neuropathic pain in adults (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 157 participantsLow
Tramadol vs placebo
At least 50% reduction in pain · adults with neuropathic pain (any origin)
Tramadol for neuropathic pain in adults (2017) · Cochrane
RR 2.2 [1.02, 4.6]3 studies · 265 participantsLow
Tramadol vs placebo
PGIC much or very much improved · adults with neuropathic pain (any origin)
Tramadol for neuropathic pain in adults (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 35 participantsVery low
Tramadol vs placebo
Withdrawal due to adverse event · adults with neuropathic pain (any origin)
Tramadol for neuropathic pain in adults (2017) · Cochrane
RR 4.1 [2, 8.4]6 studies · 485 participantsLow
Tramadol vs placebo
Participants experiencing any adverse event · adults with neuropathic pain (any origin)
Tramadol for neuropathic pain in adults (2017) · Cochrane
RR 1.6 [1.2, 2.1]4 studies · 266 participantsLow
Tramadol vs placebo
Serious adverse events · adults with neuropathic pain (any origin)
Tramadol for neuropathic pain in adults (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRVery low
Tramadol vs placebo
Death · adults with neuropathic pain (any origin)
Tramadol for neuropathic pain in adults (2017) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRVery low